by Ria Olivier | Mar 8, 2023 | Commemorative Days, International Days, Marion Island, Meteorology, Overwintering Team, Southern Ocean, sub-Antarctic, Team member, Women in Science

In celebration of International Women’s Day, we came in contact with Tanganedzani “Tanga” Tshitavhe. She is an Assistant Meteorological Technician, for the South African Weather Service (SAWS), on the sub-Antarctic Marion Island.
This is a strong woman, with passion for her work and the sub-Antarctic environment. She also has a great sense of humour.
This is her message for all women out there:
“Today we celebrate the resilience, strength, grace, and beauty of women all around the world. On this day, let’s remember the importance of equity, work towards creating a more inclusive world, and honour the contributions and achievements of women”.
I mentioned she has a great sense of humour:
Today we are having a clear sky (sunshine) on Marion Island and as the Weather-Lady, here is a Sun pun.
Question:
Why is the Sun not very heavy to carry?
Answer:
Because it is very light
Wishing you all a happy International Women’s Day day filled with joy and laughter.

Text and photos supplied by: Tanganedzani Tshitavhe (Marion79)
Edited: Anche Louw, South African Polar Research Infrastructure (Data, Products and Society Node), 08 March 2023.
by Ria Olivier | Feb 27, 2023 | Announcement, Gough Island, News, Newsletters>Gough Island Newsletters, Overwintering Team, SANAP, Stations, Team member, Team Photo
The 68th Gough Island Overwintering Team has published their first newsletter – The Bunting – January 2023 (Issue 1).

In this edition:
- Letter from the team leader
- Words from the G68 Bunting editorial team
- Meet the G68 team
- Birder’s Stories
- Life in the Base (birthday celebration)
- Farewell to Sandile (Medical Orderly of G67 who had to stay behind until a new medic is sent to Gough)
- Weather Stats (October, November, December 2022)
- To end the newsletter; a poem about an Albatross chick.
Click here to download/view the newsletter!
Birthdays celebrated by G68 so far:
Anche Louw, South African Polar Research Infrastructure (Data, Products & Society Node), 27 February 2023.
by Ria Olivier | Dec 9, 2022 | Announcement, Antarctica, News, Newsletters>SANAE Newsletters, Overwintering Team, SANAE, SANAE Gallery>Sanae Fauna and Flora, SANAP, Stations, Team member, Team Photo
In this edition:
- Learn more about spring time at SANAE IV
- The Communications Technician, Aphiwe Dyum, shares his experience thus far as part of the 61st SANAE overwintering team
- Here are some of the interview questions:
- How would you rate SANAE compared to the Marion? (Aphiwe has been on two Marion Island Overwintering Teams , M76 & M77)
- Share your highlights for this year 2022?
- What do you miss about home?
- How do you pass the time when you are not working?
- What have you learnt from your SANAE colleagues?
- What would you do to improve awareness for this program?
“One of the things I have never done in my life is staying indoors for an entire month without seeing the sunrise/sunset” – Aphiwe
- Meet the team’s Mechanical Engineer, Deputy Station Leader/ Technical Team Leader, Thulani Ngwaqa
- Here are some of the interview questions:
- What does it take to go through a year at SANAE IV?
- What activities do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
- What do you look forward to do when you are back home?
- How does this program benefit South Africa?
Will there be a third trip?
“Yes, I think there will be a third trip. Once you bond with this place, you keep missing it when you are back home (South Africa)” – Thulani
Click here to view/download the Sept/Oct 2022 newsletter
Check out all the newsletters by S61 thus far
September/October Birthdays
Anche Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 09 December 2022
by Ria Olivier | Oct 31, 2022 | Announcement, Jobs, Marion Island, News, Overwintering Team, Research, SANAP, Science, Southern Ocean, Stations, sub-Antarctic, Team member

The following positions are available on the sub-Antarctic, Marion Island for the overwintering period (April 2023 to May 2024)

Applications close between 7 November and 14 November 2022.
Click here: View the positions
Anche Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 31 October 2022.
by Ria Olivier | Oct 18, 2022 | Announcement, Antarctica, Jobs, SANAE, SANAP, Stations, Team member
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is seeking a medical doctor to join the 62nd South African National Antarctic Expedition (SANAE) team.
Expedition departure (ETD): 15 December 2022
Return: February 2024
Team training starts in November 2022.
JOB: Medical Doctor Advert
Want to know more about the job?
Meet the medical doctor of the 57th SANAE Overwintering Team (2018)
Read more about the current team at SANAE IV and meet the medical doctor of the team.
Click here!
Anche Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 18 October 2022
by Ria Olivier | Aug 25, 2022 | Announcement, Current Event, Gough Island, News, Overwintering Team, Stations, Team member, Team Photo, Tristan da Cunha

G68 Team (Left to Right): Lucy Dorman, Joyfull Ntobeko Gaju (removed from the team and replaced with G67 Medic, Sandile Nkebe), Philani Siyabonga Ngcobo (removed from the team and replaced with G67 Assistant Meteorological Technician, Tshililo Kharivha), Sibusiso Maduna, Rebekah Goodwill, Mphumzi Brooklyn Zilindile, Eddy Mfezeko Xaki, Khuliso Collen Maphaha, Mayembe Kapenda.
On 20 August 2022, the S.A. Agulhas II departed to Gough Island, via Tristan da Cunha. They will soon arrive at their new home, where they will be living for the next approximately 13 months. The G68 team will replace the G67 team.
68th Gough Island Overwintering Team (G68)
We asked the team members why they applied to be part of G68?













Two team members stayed behind from G67. The Medical Orderly, Sandile, will be replaced at a later stage and Tshililo will stay on for the year as part of G68.

Anche Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 25 August 2022, updated on 19 September 2022.