Latest News.
4th GEOTRACES Summer School Hosted in Cape Town Strengthens Global Collaboration in Marine Trace Metal Research
The South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) is proud to highlight the successful hosting of the 4th GEOTRACES Summer School, held in Cape Town, South Africa, from 17–21 November 2025....
Call for Abstracts Now Open for the 12th SCAR Open Science Conference – Deadline 28 February 2026
The South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) is pleased to share an exciting update from the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR). The international Antarctic research...
Celebrating International Antarctica Day – 1 December
Honouring South Africa’s Place in the Antarctic Treaty and Our Shared Polar Heritage Every year on 1 December, the global Antarctic community pauses to celebrate International Antarctica Day—a...
7th SANAP Research Symposium: Where Minds Met Beneath the African Sky
16–19 November | Kwalata Game Lodge, North West Province The 7th South Africa National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) Research Symposium brought together the nation’s polar research community for four...
SCAR Medal Awards: Nominations open
Recognising Excellence in Antarctic Research and Service The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) plays a pivotal role in advancing knowledge of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean. A...
7th SANAP Research Symposium: Where Minds Meet Beneath the African Sky
At the edge of the Earth lies a mirror of our planet — a place where ice tells the story of climate, oceans, and life itself. The South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) stands at the...
Welcome Home, Gough 70 Overwintering Team!
Welcome back, Gough 70 — and thank you for your service and passion for discovery in one of the most remote corners of the world.
Maritime Month
South Africa celebrates maritime month and highlights the significance of our oceans to trade, research, and environmental sustainability. As a nation deeply intertwined with the Southern Ocean, South Africa’s maritime strength extends far beyond its ports — it reaches all the way to Antarctica through the work of the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP).
Celebrating World Albatross Day – Protecting Giants of the Southern Ocean
19 June 2025 marks World Albatross Day, a global celebration of these magnificent seabirds whose wide wingspans and far-ranging flight paths have long captured the imagination of sailors, scientists, and nature lovers alike. We celebrate the tireless work of scientists, conservationists, and partners who are helping to give these majestic ocean wanderers a fighting chance. Let’s continue to raise awareness and support efforts to keep the skies above the Southern Ocean filled with soaring wings.
World Oceans Day 8 June 2025
One Ocean, One Climate, One Future – Together On 8 June 2025, the SANAP community celebrates World Oceans Day under the powerful theme: One Ocean, One Climate, One Future – Together. At the heart of this theme lies a call to protect our blue planet through collective...
World Environment Day 5 June 2025
Today, on World Environment Day, SANAP join the global community in recognizing the vital importance of our planet’s ecosystems — and reaffirm its commitment to understanding and protecting one of the most extreme, yet crucial, environments on Earth: The Southern...
Celebrating Environment Month: Honouring Our Southernmost Ecosystems
June is Environment Month under the theme "Think, Eat, Save and reduce your foodprint" June marks National Environment Month in South Africa — a time for reflection, awareness, and action toward safeguarding our natural world. Spearheaded by the Department of...
Jobs available: Gough Overwintering Team 2025-2026
The South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) invites applications for the next Gough Island Overwintering Team, who will be stationed at Gough Base from September 2025 to October 2026. Gough Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lies over 2,500 km from South...
Celebrating the International Day for Biological Diversity with SANAP – 22 May 2025
The United Nations has designated May 22 as the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB), a day to reflect on the vital role biodiversity plays in sustaining life on Earth. The 2025 theme, "Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development," underscores the...
Welcome back to Marion 81 Overwintering Team
MARION 81 Overwintering Team Front sitting (left to right) - Vanessa Stephen - FITZ Birder, Monique van Bers - MFM Mouser, Peter Cunningham- SAPRI Sealer, Tanganedzani Tshitavhe - SAWS Assistant Meteorological Technician, Tokozile Mdleleni - DFFE Communications...
Celebrating Women in Maritime National Day 2025
An Ocean of Opportunities for Women - Celebrating Women in Maritime National Day 2025 As we mark Women in Maritime National Day 2025, we celebrate the increasing presence, leadership, and impact of women in South Africa’s polar and ocean research landscape—especially...
Celebrating International Penguin Day
Every year on April 25th, we celebrate International Penguin Day—a global reminder of the unique role penguins plays in our planet's ecosystems. These birds are not just symbols of the icy South—they are indicators of ocean health and climate change. From the...
Celebrating Earth Day 2025
On Earth Day 2025, we recognize the vital role of science in securing the future of our planet. South Africa’s commitment to environmental stewardship is powerfully reflected in its research presence at Antarctica, Marion Island, and Gough Island, under the South...
ICSHMO 2025 – SANAP community participation
ICSHMO 2025 - International Conference on Southern Hemisphere Meteorology and Oceanography (ICSHMO) 2025 – Participation from the SANAP research community. Below a few presentations by researchers as well as session chairs etc. Visit the ICSHMO website for the full...
DFFE Press Release: H5n1confirmed on Subantarctic Marion Island
High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (H5n1) confirmed on Subantarctic Marion Island Press Release by the Department of Forestry Fisheries and the Environment: 23 March 2025 The presence of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus on Marion Island has been...
Celebrating World Meteorological Day 2025: Honoring the Meteorologists of SANAP’s Overwintering Teams
Each year, on March 23rd, the global community observes World Meteorological Day, commemorating the establishment of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1950. This day highlights the pivotal role meteorology plays in ensuring the safety and well-being of...
Departmental response to Sunday Times article related to Antarctica
Links to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries & the Environment’s response to the Sunday Times article on Antartica
Introducing the SANAE 64 Overwintering Team for 2025-2026
The South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) proudly announces the members of the SANAE 64 Overwintering Team, who will be stationed at the SANAE IV research base in Antarctica for the 2024-2025 season. These dedicated individuals will brave the extreme...
Join Us at ICG 2025 in New Zealand – Call for Abstracts: Geomorphological Insights from the Sub-Antarctic
The International Conference on Geomorphology (ICG) 2025 is set to take place in breathtaking New Zealand, a land renowned for its dynamic landscapes and geological wonders. This global gathering of geomorphologists will provide a platform for cutting-edge discussions...
Announcing the S.A. Agulhas II Voyage Schedule for 2025/2026
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is pleased to announce the upcoming voyage schedule for the S.A. Agulhas II for the 2025/2026 season. This state-of-the-art polar research and supply vessel will continue its vital role in supporting South...
Season’s Greetings from the SANAP Overwintering Teams
The SANAP overwintering teams have once again demonstrated exceptional dedication and resilience in the face of the Antarctic region conditions. Over the course of the year, our teams have worked tirelessly to support vital research, monitor environmental changes, and...
Vacancy Field Researcher – Marion Island
Vacancy for field researcher on Marion Island (March 2025 – May 2026) Mouse impacts on invertebrates and plants The Department of Plant and Soil Sciences at the University of Pretoria is offering one suitably qualified candidate an opportunity to spend a year on...
S.A. Agulhas II sets sail for Antarctica
Every year, the South African vessel, the SA Agulhas II, embarks on a journey to Antarctica, marking the beginning of its annual research and supply voyage. This critical mission is not only a symbol of South Africa's dedication to scientific research but also a...






























