Latest News.
SANAP 2027-2029 call now open on NRF Grant applications
The South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) invites applications to an OPEN CALL for a three-year funding cycle (2027-2029). All application materials must be submitted electronically via...
Science Month – Guardians of the Southern Ocean
How Seabirds Reveal a Changing Climate. The skies above the Southern Ocean are home to some of the world's most remarkable travellers. Wandering albatrosses soar effortlessly across thousands of...
Celebrating South African Antarctic Science during National Science Month
Every August, South Africa celebrates the power of science to improve lives, inspire curiosity, and shape a better future. As part of National Science Month, the South African National Antarctic...
World Penguin Day 2026 – Celebrating SANAP Research & Conservation
As we mark World Penguin Day on 25 April 2026, the South African National Antarctic Programme continues to play a vital role in advancing our understanding of penguin species across the Southern...
Earth Day 22 April – Our Power, Our Planet
Earth Day is commemorated annually on 22 April and is one of the largest global environmental movements. In 2026, the theme “Our Power, Our Planet” highlights the importance of civic action,...
World Meteorological Day 2026: Observing the Skies from Earth’s Southern Frontiers
Each year on 23 March, World Meteorological Day marks the establishment of the World Meteorological Organization in 1950 and celebrates the vital role of meteorology in safeguarding lives and...
World Water Day 2026: Southern Ocean Science for a Water-Secure Future
Each year on World Water Day (22 March), the global community reflects on the importance of freshwater and the urgent need to protect it. In 2026, the theme “Water and Gender: Where water flows,...
SEAmester applications close 19 March 2026
Postgraduate students in environmental and marine-related sciences are encouraged to apply for SEAmester IX – South Africa’s Class Afloat, taking place from 1–10 June 2026 aboard the country’s polar...
SANAP 2027-2029 call now open on NRF Grant applications
The South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) invites applications to an OPEN CALL for a three-year funding cycle (2027-2029). All application materials must be submitted electronically via the NRF’s Submission system at NRFCONNECT. The SANAP call is now open...
Science Month – Guardians of the Southern Ocean
How Seabirds Reveal a Changing Climate. The skies above the Southern Ocean are home to some of the world's most remarkable travellers. Wandering albatrosses soar effortlessly across thousands of kilometres, while penguins, petrels and skuas brave some of the harshest...
Celebrating South African Antarctic Science during National Science Month
Every August, South Africa celebrates the power of science to improve lives, inspire curiosity, and shape a better future. As part of National Science Month, the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) invites you on a journey to one of the most remote and...
World Migratory Bird Day 2026: Every Bird Counts
On 9 May 2026, the world once again celebrates World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD), a global campaign dedicated to raising awareness about migratory birds and the importance of international cooperation in conserving them. A second global celebration will take place on 10...
World Penguin Day 2026 – Celebrating SANAP Research & Conservation
As we mark World Penguin Day on 25 April 2026, the South African National Antarctic Programme continues to play a vital role in advancing our understanding of penguin species across the Southern Ocean. Through long-term research led by dedicated scientists and field...
Earth Day 22 April – Our Power, Our Planet
Earth Day is commemorated annually on 22 April and is one of the largest global environmental movements. In 2026, the theme “Our Power, Our Planet” highlights the importance of civic action, community engagement, and collective responsibility in addressing...
World Meteorological Day 2026: Observing the Skies from Earth’s Southern Frontiers
Each year on 23 March, World Meteorological Day marks the establishment of the World Meteorological Organization in 1950 and celebrates the vital role of meteorology in safeguarding lives and livelihoods. For South Africa, this global effort is strengthened by the...
World Water Day 2026: Southern Ocean Science for a Water-Secure Future
Each year on World Water Day (22 March), the global community reflects on the importance of freshwater and the urgent need to protect it. In 2026, the theme “Water and Gender: Where water flows, equality grows” reminds us that access to clean water is not only an...
SEAmester applications close 19 March 2026
Postgraduate students in environmental and marine-related sciences are encouraged to apply for SEAmester IX – South Africa’s Class Afloat, taking place from 1–10 June 2026 aboard the country’s polar research vessel, the S.A. Agulhas II. ...
World Wildlife Day – 3 March: Celebrating and Protecting Life at the Edge of the Earth
Every year on 3 March, the world celebrates World Wildlife Day, recognising the extraordinary diversity of life and the need to conserve it. For South Africa, this commitment extends far beyond the mainland — to the remote sub-Antarctic and Antarctic regions where...
Save the date: Workshops to update the Marine Research Plan and the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Research Plan
26 February 2026 Save the date: Workshops to update the Marine Research Plan and the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Research Plan Dear Members of the Marine and Antarctic Research Community The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, together with the National...
Antarctica: Takeover Season 2025–2026
From December 2025 to February 2026, the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) embarks on its annual takeover voyage to relieve and resupply SANAE IV in Queen Maud Land, Antarctica. This critical mission ensures a seamless transition between overwintering...
Antarctica Under Observation: Monitoring Ice Shelf Stability – Part 3
The End: From Field Data to Global Impact By early February 2026, the SANAP field campaign entered its final phase, completing measurements and preparing for extraction ahead of worsening weather. Temporary GNSS stations along the calving front were recovered,...
65th South African National Antarctic Expedition team (SANAE 65)
The S.A. Agulhas II departed to Antarctica on 24 December 2025. The 65th South African National Antarctic Expedition team (SANAE 65 was on board the vessel. The S65 team with be replacing the S64 team during this Antarctic relief voyage. The takeover function took...
Antarctica Under Observation: Monitoring Ice Shelf Stability: Part 2
The Duration: Life and Science on the Fimbulisen Ice Shelf Through mid- and late January, the team balanced demanding science with the realities of Antarctic fieldwork. GNSS stations positioned around major basal crevasses provided precise measurements of...
Antarctica Under Observation: Monitoring Ice Shelf Stability: Part 1 The Beginning
Monitoring Antarctic Ice Shelf Stability. Antarctic ice shelves play a critical role in controlling future sea-level rise. https://youtu.be/qNTP3RDeXXs In January 2026, an international research team began the second field campaign of Structural Glaciological...
JOB Alert: Marion Island 2026-2027 – Closing Date 9 Feb 2026
Marion Overwintering team positions advertised. Full advertisements by DFFE
Marion 82 Newsletter now available!
The Marion 82 Overwintering Team newsletter is now available. Based on Marion Island as part of the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP), the Marion 82 team shares a vivid snapshot of life and work on the island. This edition features a warm welcome and...
From Pole to Promenade: Bringing South Africa’s Polar Science to the Public
The South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) is proud to announce a striking new science–art installation on Cape Town’s iconic Sea Point Promenade: “Pole to Promenade”, a public photo exhibition, alongside “Drifters: The Invisible Forest”, a vibrant mural...
SANAP-ALSA exhibit at Science Forum South Africa 2025 – 24–28 November 2025
The Science Forum South Africa (SFSA) 2025 brought together researchers, policy leaders, students, and science enthusiasts from across the globe—and once again, SANAP- ALSA proudly showcased South Africa’s vital role in Antarctic and climate-change...
