South Africa has a long track record in Southern Ocean and Antarctic research and has recently invested
considerable funds in acquiring new infrastructure for ongoing support of this research. This infrastructure
includes a new base at Marion Island and a purpose-built ice capable research vessel, which greatly expand
research opportunities. Despite this investment, South Africa’s standing as a participant in this critical field
is threatened by confusion, lack of funding, lack of consultation and lack of transparency. The research
endeavour is presently bedevilled by political manoeuvring among groups with divergent interests that too
often have little to do with science, while past and present contributors of research are excluded from
discussions that aim to formulate research strategy. This state of affairs is detrimental to the country’s aims
of developing a leadership role in climate change and Antarctic research and squanders both financial and
human capital.
