by Ria Olivier | May 18, 2023 | Announcement, Marion Island, News, Newsletters>Marion Island Newsletters, Overwintering Team, Research, SA Agulhas II, SANAP, SAPolarRI, SAPRI, sub-Antarctic, Team member, Team Photo
The 79th Marion Island overwintering team arrived on Marion Island on 21 April 2022.
They are back in Cape Town, after spending 386 days on the island and 6 nights on the S.A. Agulhas II for the journey home.
If you want to know more about the work this team did on the island, check out their newsletters (click on the link below).
Marion79 Newsletters
The featured image is the team’s official team photo and displayed on the wall inside the sub-Antarctic Marion Island research station.
Team Photo:
Top row (L-R): Banele Dosi (MIMMP Sealer), Samuel Peta (O & C Birder – DFFE), Sanele Action Mkhize (Diesel Mechanic), Siphesihle Faltein (Assistant Meteorological Technician – SAWS), Lucy Smyth (MAPRU/NMU Birder), Michael Ross (MIMMP Sealer).
Middle row (L-R): Monica Leitner (MIMMP Killer whaler/Sealer), Mndeni ‘Amani’ Hlatshwayo (Medical Orderly), Thendo Sikhwari (Senior Meteorological Technician – SAWS), Andile Ace Mdluli (O & C Birder – DFFE), Gladys Kemei (Communications Engineer and Deputy Team Leader), Tankiso H. Moso (SANSA Electronics Engineer and Science Team Leader), Ntlangemhlophe Sanele Sukude Nombekela (Chef), Mishumo Masithembi (Environmental Control Officer).
Bottom row (L-R): Gcobani Tshangana (Assistant Environmental Control Officer), Austin Acro Gumba (UKZN Astrophysicist), Tanganedzani Tshitavhe (Assistant Meteorological Technician – SAWS), Tshimangadzo Jufter Munyai (Base Engineer and Team Leader), Elsa van Ginkel (MFM Ecologist).
Inserts (left): Abuyiselwe Nguna (Geomorphologist); (right): Vhuawelo Simba (MFM Ecologist). These team members were evacuated from the island in July 2022, due to injuries obtained.
MAPRU/NMU – Marine Apex Predator Research Unit / Nelson Mandela University; MFM – The Mouse-free Marion Project; MIMMP – Marion Island Marine Mammal Programme; DFFE – Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment; O & C Birder – Oceans and Coasts Birder; SANSA – South African National Space Agency; SAWS – South African Weather Service; UKZN – University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Images taken on arrival – 18 May 2023
Featured image credit: Tshimangadzo Jufter Munyai (Base Engineer and Team Leader).
Arrival images credit: South African Polar Research Infrastructure research coordinators.
Anche Louw, South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI DPS Node), 18 May 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 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 | Sep 20, 2022 | Announcement, Gough Island, Legacy, News, Overwintering Team, SA Agulhas II, SANAP, Stations, Team Photo
L-R: James Burns, Selvin van Wyk, Karabo Mokwena, Nkosi Madama, Kim Stevens, Peter Chuku, Vonica Perold and Roelf Daling.
The 67th Gough Island Overwintering Team has returned to Cape Town. Two members of this team stayed behind on Gough Island.
Departure to Gough Island: 15 September 2021
Disembarked at East Pier: 20 September 2022
Gough 67
The 67th Gough Island Overwintering Team – Offical Team Photo
This image was taken during midwinter.
Back (L-R): Selvin van Wyk, James Burns, Nkosi Madama, Karabo Mokwena, Kim Stevens, Roelf Daling; (front) Sandile Nkebe, Vonica Perold, Peter Chuku and Tshililo Kharivha.
Links to relevant articles:
Check out all the G67 newsletters produced!
Team photo supplied by: Roelf Daling
Anche Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 20 September 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.
