South Africa’s National Women’s Day In the 60 years since the events of 1956, the phrase has come to represent women’s courage and strength in South Africa. This day is celebrated to; Empowers Women, Raises Awareness
An article by Morgan Seag writes a brief history of Women in Polar Research. A Timeline of women in Antarctica is available on Wikipedia listing global firsts for women and South African firsts. (There are some incorrect facts and regarding South Africa and this need to be updated.)
From the Antarctic Legacy of South Africa digital archive we share pictures and facts and we celebrate these women in creating a legacy for all future generations:
1986 – Marion 43: L-R (Back): J. Kieser, B. Coetzee, I. Dalglish, M. Bester, C. Pascoe; (5th) N. Gartshore, G. Steenkamp, R. Heather-Clark, I. Wilkinson, D. Baker; (4th) A. van der Merwe, H. Eloff; (3rd) W. Waldeck, A. van Zyl, P. Bartlett, A. Cronje, S. Ferreira, J. Huyser; (2nd) S. Chown, N. Franken; (1st) R. Faure, H. Blom, M. Cawood, S. Hunter, M. Bennett; (Front) A. Heystek, M. Steenkamp, A. Moore (Leader), J. Kruger, J. Steenkamp, H. van Wyk.
1996 РSANAE 36: L-R (Back): Etienne Hugo (Electrical Engineer), Burt Wilson (PU Scientist), Aithne Rowse (Doctor/1st woman SANAE member), Hein de Beer (Electrical Engineer), Bez Bezuidenhout (Diesel Mechanic), Jacques la Cock (Diesel Mechanic); (Front) David Frank (Meteorologist/Leader), Andr̩ Larisma (UND Scientist), Piet Swanevelder (PU Scientist).
1998 – Gough 43: L-R (Back): Andre Combrinck (Medic), Glen Roberts (Senior Meteorologist/Leader); (Front) James Kwalepe (Diesel Mechanic), Theuns van Wyk (Radio Technician), Peter Mailula (Meteorologist), Sarien Lategan (Meteorologist).
2000 – Gough 46: L-R (Back): Pumeza Skepe, Chris Swanepoel, Deryck Yelverton, Piet, Princess, Erica Sommers; (Front) Louis Janse van Vuuren, Brigitte, Linda, Richard.
2003 – Marion 60: L-R (Back): Shaun Miles (Medic), Ephaparus Mamabolo (Meteorologist), Greg Hofmeyr (Sealer & Conservation Officer), Leonard Maree (Radio Tech), Nole Green (Diesel Mechanic & Team Leader), Segale Motseto (Senior Meteorologist)(August 2003-April 2004), Bantu Hanise (Birder), Nico de Bruyn (Birder); (Front) Fhatuwani Munyai (Sealer), Erika Nortje (Field Assistant Entomology & Deputy Leader), Samantha Linnerts (Meteorologist); Insert: Shorty Terblancé (Senior Meteorologist)(April 2003 – August 2004).
2005 – Sanae 45: L-R (Back): Leon Prinsloo (Mechanical Engineer), Nole Green (Diesel Mechanic); (Front) Fritz Grobbelaar (Potch), Rivaaj Garibdass (Team Leader/Radio Engineer), Geraldinah Mjali (Doctor), Sbu Maduna (Diesel Mechanic), Lötter Kock (HMO), Samantha Linnerts (Meteorologist), Kevin Duma (Electrical Engineer).