The Antarctic Legacy of South Africa is saddened that Marten du Preez, a friend, a colleague has passed away at the age of 96. Marten is someone whose legacy within the Antarctic Programme of South Africa will live on. Marten always made time to be involved in the South African National Antarctic Programme and always had a message for overwintering team members at Midwinter Celebration and attend the Midwinter celebrations of the SA Antarctic Club over the years. During the COVID pandemic in 2020 Marten send a video for the ALSA midwinter post.
Message by Marten du Preez, Midwinter 2020.
Marten du Preez was one of the members on the first overwintering team on Antarctica SANAE I as well as the team leader of SANAE 3.
SANAE 1. Back: André van der Merwe, Dick Bonnema, Hannes la Grange, Marten du Preez, Blackie de Swardt. Middle: George Strauss, Niek Ersamus, Chris de Weerdt. Front: Victor von Brunn, Theo van Wijk
SANAE 3. 1st row: Fanus du Preez, Siegried Rousseau and Douw Moller. 2nd row: Smitty Smith, Sewes van Wyk, Marten du Preez, Charles Lautenbach and Dirk Neethling. 3rd row: Brandjie Brand, Duncan Baker, Sean Kavanagh, Danie Olivier and Henry Fulton.
The White Horizon launch. SANAE 1 members with John Cooper. L-R: Marten du Preez, Chris de Weerdt, John Cooper and Theo van Wijk. During the launch of the White Horison he entertain us with stories of his time on Antarctica. Another SANAE 1 team member passed away in 2021, Theo van Wijk also seen in photo above.
More images of Marten du Preez available on the archive .
Cover Image: Contributed by Dr A Le Roux van der Merwe.