by Ria Olivier | Aug 25, 2023 | Antarctica, Legacy, Marion Island, News, Prince Edward Islands, Research, SA Agulhas II, SA Polar Research Infrastructure, SANAE IV, SANAP, SAPolarRI, Science, Southern Ocean, Stations, STEM, sub-Antarctic
The South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI) with the Antarctic Legacy of South Africa (ALSA) and the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) Egagasini Node visited Generation Schools Imhoff, in Kommetjie on 20 July 2023.
Generations Primary is based on the Montessori ethos of independent children working and the Cambridge model of education. The school structure consists of various phases with mixed-age groupings “which allows children to work together, to learn from and teach each other.” The mixed-age group 9 – 12 years has recently completed projects and tasks related to the Antarctic environment, creating a space where learners can develop, in a creative way, a sense of the 7th continent. The invite to visit the school to further connect the application of academics in the real world was welcomed.
The 110 learners with teachers, were presented with a rhythmic exercise with boom-whackers (musical plastic tubes) as an ice-breaker activity, which was followed by a “Journey through the Southern Ocean, via Marion Island, to Antarctica”, which was presented by Ria Olivier (ALSA), Sikelelwa Mtyenene (SAEON Egagasini Node), Abuyiselwe Nguna (SAPRI) and Riesna R. Audh (SAPRI). Various interactive exhibits were set up in the school hall, which further gave learners the opportunity to interact with the ALSA, SAPRI and SAEON teams.
“Journey through the Southern Ocean, via Marion Island, to Antarctica”
Follow the journey below.
| Start at Cape Town Harbour - Ria Olivier
History: Archivist with 10 years' involvement in SANAP and Principal Investigator of the Antarctic Legacy of South Africa project, talks about South Africa's involvement in the Antarctic regions. |
| Sail past the coast of South Africa - Sikelelwa Mtyenene
Coastal voyage: research conducted in the coast off South Africa, where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet. |
| Stop at Marion Island - Abuyiselwe Nguna
Science weather, fauna and flora. The speaker shares his experience as a field assistant, part of a Marion Island overwintering team member. |
| Cross the Southern Ocean - Riesna Audh
Oceanographic sampling on board the South African research and supply vessel, the S.A. Agulhas II. |
| Pass seaice and icebergs - Riesna Audh
The speaker has been on board the S.A. Agulhas II during various Antarctic expeditions (counting to over 300 days in total), for her research on sea ice in the Antarctic marginal ice zone. She shares her experiences. |
| Arrive at Antarctica - Abuyiselwe Nguna
What you can expect. Antarctic operations. Clothing (protective gear) and more info about the South African National Antarctic Expedition station (SANAE IV). |
Interactive exhibits
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Hug a penguin.
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Try on Antarctic gear.
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Leave a fingerprint on Antarctica.
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Visit the ALSA digital museum.
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Timelines: South Africa’s involvement in the Antarctic region.
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Ice coring in the Antarctic marginal ice zone.
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Get to know some oceanographic instruments and see some benthic organisms (from SeaMap) under a microscope.
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Inviting teacher, Joni Gardener, leaving her fingerprint.
This collaborative science engagement event was focused on communicating marine and Antarctic research in such a way to foster curiosity for these regions. The school also received a set of books sponsored by the Antarctic Legacy of South Africa (see image below).
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Video: Learners of Generation Schools Imhoff leaving their fingerprints on Antarctica. Scan the QR code or click on the link below.
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Ria Olivier (ALSA) handing over books to Joni Gardener (Generation Schools Imhoff).
Video: Leaving fingerprints on Antarctica.
Graphic element (Journey to Antarctica) designed by: Riesna R. Audh, SAPRI, Polar Lab.
Anche Louw, South African Polar Research Infrastructure, 25 August 2023.
by Ria Olivier | Apr 21, 2023 | International Days, News, Research, Science, Southern Ocean
Tomorrow, 22 April 2023, is Earth Day!
We support environmental protection. One way to encourage people to protect the environment is for environmental scientists to communicate scientific findings in a way that is digestible for your audience.
It is with great pleasure that we share that Dr Thomas Ryan-Keogh will be a speaker at TEDx Johannesburg Countdown to talk about the impacts of climate change on the Southern Ocean. “His talk will contribute towards the dialogue and action on climate change and will showcase how the CSIR is contributing towards global research efforts on the impact of climate change in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean”.
Book your seat today!
TEDx Johannesburg is a great platform where “remarkable people doing great work can amplify their ideas on the world wide web”.
“We believe that their ideas, delivered at our sought-after events, and distributed via video on the web, will change the world” – TEDx Johannesburg.
At this event, Tommy will have only 12 minutes to share his recent oceanographic research findings, “which showed that the natural carbon cycle in the Southern Ocean is being impacted and that it could be causing even more harmful climate impacts. These findings were recently published in the top-rated journal Science under the title: Multidecadal trend of increasing iron stress in Southern Ocean phytoplankton” – CSIR
Source: TEDxJohannesburg Countdown
Tommy is the Chair of the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists of South Africa. APECS-SA is a “National Committee of APECS international, a non-profit and voluntary organization which focuses on improving communication between young polar researchers on a local and international level.”
On Social Media:
Watch this video below and learn more about the current climate crisis and The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) climate report.
“This is an important message for the world to take in: make the economy, make the development clean and climate friendly” Hoesung Lee (Chair of the IPCC).
Find the IPCC report here.
Anche Louw, South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI DPS Node), 21 April 2023
by Ria Olivier | Apr 19, 2023 | Marion Island, News, Overwintering Team, Prince Edward Islands, SA Agulhas II, SANAP, Science, Southern Ocean, Stations, Team Photo
The S.A. Agulhas II is on her final stretch of the first oceanographic leg to the sub-Antarctic Marion Island. The voyage has been overall calm, with easy and moderately sea and swells, reaching no more than 3 meters, in the past two days.
The 80th Marion Island overwintering team and land-based takeover personnel will soon reach their destination. The takeover is packed with scientific objectives, for both land and ship-based science groups, which will be shared over the next few weeks.
S.A. Agulhas II - Marion Island Voyage 057
Departure: Port of Cape Town to Marion Island | Evening of 15 April 2023 |
Expected time of arrival: Marion Island | Evening of 19 April 2023 |
S.A. Agulhas II last communicated position (18 April 2023, 23:59) | LAT: 40° 40.6' S
LONG: 27° 45.5' E |
Destination: Marion Island | LAT: 44° 9.1' S
LONG: 33° 22.7' E |
Number of passengers on board | 89 passengers |
Message to the overwintering team:
May your team work hard together, take time for celebrations and grow together as a team. We wish you all the best. May you find plenty of happiness and fulfillment during your year in the sub-Antarctic!
80th Marion Island overwintering team
Team Member | Position on M80 | Affiliation |
Ndaedzo Nthulani | Assistant Meteorological Technician | SAWS |
Dylan Seaton | Field Assistant: Sealer | MIMMP (UP) |
Christopher Jones | Field Assistant: Birder | MAPRU (NMU) |
Michelle Risi | Field Assistant: Birder | MAPRU (NMU) |
Treasure Thobatsi | Communications Technician | DFFE |
Gumede Mbekezeli | Electrical Technician | DFFE |
Nikitha Fikizolo | Chef | DFFE |
Tamara Eggeling | Field Assistant: Sealer/Killer Whaler | MIMMP (UP) |
Zafar Monier | Field Assistant: Sealer | MIMMP (UP) |
Kuhle Mbalane | Assistant Environmental Control Officer | DFFE |
Mfezeko Rataza | Electronic Engineer | SANSA |
Keith Odwa Obose | Assistant Meteorological Technician | SAWS |
Kyle Maurer | Field Assistant: Birder | DFFE (Oceans & Coasts) |
Mpumelelo Mabutyana | Field Assistant: Birder | DFFE (Oceans & Coasts) |
Collen Nkadimeng | Diesel Mechanic | DFFE |
Kelebogile Mogotsi | Senior Meteorological Technician | SAWS |
Nkateko Maholobela | Environmental Control Officer | DFFE |
Sandile Nkebe | Medical Orderly & Team Leader) | DFFE |
Camilla Smyth | Field Assistant | Mouse-free Marion |
Photo caption: Marion80. Photo taken on the heli deck on board the S.A. Agulhas II. Back (L-R) Ndaedzo Nthulani, Dylan Seaton, Christopher Jones, Michelle Risi, Treasure Thobatsi, Gumede Mbekezeli, Nikitha Fikizolo, Tamara Eggeling, Zafar Monier, Kuhle Mbalane, Mfezeko Rataza; (front) Keith Odwa Obose, Kyle Maurer, Mpumelelo Mabutyana, Collen Nkadimeng, Kelebogile Mogotsi, Nkateko Maholobela, Sandile Nkebe and Camilla Smyth.
Photo credit: Christopher Jones and Michelle Risi
Anche Louw, South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI DPS Node), 19 April 2023
by Ria Olivier | Feb 17, 2023 | Announcement, Research, SA Polar Research Infrastructure
The Data, Products and Society (DPS) Node of the South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI) is planned to bring together the SAPRI Data Centre, the various types of generated data and downstream products, including modelling and the societal outreach program.
DPS is built on a phased integrating approach. The Antarctic Legacy of South Africa (ALSA) contributed to creating a community ethos, via the creation and administration of the ALSA and South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) websites as well as updates on the different social media platforms. The potential for this initiative to become a reference for the South African “polar society” at large is enormous, and it is at the core of the DPS facility. Building on the ALSA experience, and through a complete integration of ALSA within SAPRI, it will bring the infrastructure closer to research/training institutions and stakeholders that have historically been less involved with polar science.
The appointment of the DPS Node Coordinator (Manager), Dr Anne Treasure, and the Digital Marketing and Communications Manager, Anche Louw, were approved by the DPS User Fora and the SAPRI interim advisory committee in March 2022 to ensure the integration of ALSA in phases and to establish data management within SAPRI. The committee and User Fora approved that the DPS node will be hosted at Stellenbosch University and the node was established in November 2022.
Dr Anne Treasure has been part of ALSA for the past 5 years as a collaborator, with a focus on data management, and is currently fulfilling the role of SA representative on the Standing Committee on Antarctic Data Management (SCADM) at the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) as well as on the SA National Committee for SCAR. Dr Anne Treasure was on the SAPRI proposal writing committee, and was responsible for compiling the data management, and the data infrastructure and system requirements that will be implemented within SAPRI. She will have a huge impact on implementing the data management component of SAPRI. The DPS Coordinator is to bring this Infrastructure together with its different components to support the community of SAPRI and all its stakeholders, including all governance structures such as the SAPRI management team, the advisory committee, and the User Fora, as well as the SANAP community, which includes overwintering team members (past and present), scientists and researchers, vessel crew, maintenance crew and take-over personnel. The coordinator will ensure to make the data centre, products, and society available to all stakeholders and a large component will be to inform national and international communities about the work done by South Africa in the polar environment. Anne has overwintered on Marion Island as part of Marion 65 (ALSA Archive) and has participated in many Marion take-overs and other visits to the island. She has also spent time on Prince Edward Island, and has participated in many oceanographic research cruises, including ice experience.
Anche Louw has been part of ALSA for the past 9 years, first on part-time basis and later as Communicator, Assistant Project Manager and Co-Investigator. Anche specialises in digital marketing and has built a huge social media presence for ALSA and SANAP. She is a SA representative on the Standing Committee on Humanities and Social Sciences (SCHASS) at SCAR and on the SA National Committee for SCAR. She is a member of the action group for Public Engagement with Antarctic Research (PEAR) at SCAR and was nominated for the SCAR medal on outreach and awareness in 2022. Her current position at ALSA will now be carried on within SAPRI as part of the integration of ALSA in phases. Her role as the Digital Marketing and Communications (DMC) Manager is to maintain the relevant websites related to SAPRI, SANAP and ALSA. A huge role is keeping track of digital marketing trends and to ensure that SAPRI and its stakeholders have a social media presence on a daily basis, on a national and international level. The DMC Manager is to bring the awareness and outreach together with its different components to support the community of the South African Polar Research Infrastructure and all its stakeholders, as well as the SANAP community, which includes overwintering team members (past and present), scientists and researchers, vessel crew, maintenance crew and take-over personnel. Anche has overwintered on Marion Island as part of Marion 70, participated in take-overs to Marion Island and has visited SANAE IV during the 2019 take-over. Anche has represented SA at various international conferences and has visited four of the five Gateway Cities to Antarctica (Punta Arenas, Chile; Ushuaia, Argentina; Cape Town, South Africa and Hobart, Australia).
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Anne on top of Mascarin Peak, Marion Island (2009).
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Anche in the interior, Marion Island (2014).
The DPS Manager, DMC Manager, together with ALSA need to manage a space that makes the community feel it is their own, and to showcase the work done by all those in the community. The DPS node has a cross-cutting role and the DMC Manager needs to engage with the other SAPRI components to transform the perception of the polar environment in society. The DPS node will play a major role in transforming, consolidating, and strengthening polar sciences.
SAPRI proposal has been approved by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) as part of the South African Roadmap Infrastructure (SARIR) in 2021. As Principal investigator of the Antarctic Legacy of South Africa (ALSA) Project I have been involved since the start of the SAPRI proposal. SAPRI is also based on the Antarctic and Southern Ocean plan (2014) and the Marine and Antarctic Strategy (2016).
Ria Olivier, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 17 January 2023
by Ria Olivier | Sep 27, 2022 | Announcement, Antarctica, Legacy, Research, SANAP, SANAP Student, Science, STEM
Applications are now open to join the national committee of APECS-SA, the South African National Committee of APECS (Association of Polar Early Career Scientists).
APECS-SA is looking for early career scientists, enthusiasts, naturalists, and good storytellers passionate about Polar Research, to join the team.
As polar researchers, we are responsible for communicating the value of polar research, and APECS-SA needs your help!
If you are not an APECS member yet, join APECS-SA today and apply to be on the National Committee.
Application deadline: 31 October 2022
Apply here!
The current National Committee
Read more about the NC members
Read more about APECS-SA