Overwintering team: SANAE 46

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Gert JJ Benadé

Team Leader & Electrical Engineer

Hi !

Welcome to our Team's page. On this page you'll find info about the members, our sponsors, a photo album as well as our highly acclaimed newsletters.

I'm Gert (31), Team Leader and Electrical Engineer for this expedition.

My responsibilities include, amongst others, but not limited to, the generation and distribution of power, floor sweeping and washing dishes.

I enjoy fiddling with anything electronic/electrical and like to design and build new devices to incorporate into everyday life As hobbies, I love hiking, camping, photography, cooking...oh yes, and sweeping floors! :-)

Coming to Antarctica has been a dream since childhood and I'm glad that I can experience this enchanting yet strange place.

"JE SUIS DéSOLé, MAIS JE N'AI PAS LE CHOIX"

"JE SUIS DéSOLé, MAIS LA VIE ME DEMANDE ÇA"

Leonard Maree

Deputy Team Leader & Electronic Engineer

Leonard Maree Electronic engineer and Deputy Team leader from Bloemfontein who is responsible for the maintenance of all Telecommunication, Data network administration and Radio networks at Sanae base .

Previous Antactic experience: Marion M60 and Gough G50 over wintering teams. Where I was also fortunate to be involved with environmental tasks such as weighing and tagging seals as well as monitoring albatross colonies.

Age: Not applicable.

Hobbies: RC Model aircraft and an avid water skier and ice skater but unable to master the art of snow skiing.

Reasons for joining: Some magnetic phenomena that attract me to these inhospitable, brutal places. Maybe the lack of traffic ,population and crime.

Expectations: To one day understand Linux completely and have a better understanding about God's creation as a whole.

Tamara Spinks

Medic

I am Tamara Spinks, the medic for SANAE 46.

I previously over-wintered on Gough Island and was then offered the opportunity of spending a year in the Antarctic. I didn't hesitate in taking the post.

I look after the medical, pharmaceutical, dental and psychological needs of the team as well as dealing with any emergencies that may occur.

I am thrilled to be able to spend some time in one of the most extreme environments on earth, a place not many will ever see. My work has allowed me to travel to various parts of the world and experience different environments, people and their cultures.

I hope that I may return to South Africa and share my experiences on this place that has stimulated the imaginations of many and share with them the magic that is the great ice desert of the south.

Fritz Grobbelaar

Mechanical Engineer

This is my second year at SANAE and I am responsible for the base's mechanical operations like the snow melter (Smelly), synchro-lift, heating and ventilation and the sewage plant.

Last year I was the ANOKS/AMIGO scientist (I was a very technical scientist).

SANAE's setup reminds me of our farm near Adelaide (Eastern Cape) where you need to prepare for situations far into the future and sort out everything on your own.

Hobbies include mostly adventure stuff like traveling, abseiling, crevassing and, snow permitting, snowboarding.

I studied E&E engineering at the University of Stellenbosch.

Ronald Collatz

Senior Diesel Mechanic from Durban

My tasks are: Maintaining the Challengers, Dozers, Bucket Cats and Ski-Doo's as well as other maintenance in and around the base, also to assist team members on their tasks.

Antarctica for me is a Dream come true...

Vincent Rademeyer

Diesel Mechanic

I am responsible for the generators and other machinery inside the SANAE Base.

When I am not working I enjoy snowboarding and sketching animals that are nowhere to be found here.

My reasons for joining this expedition are for the adventure and to get away from the city.

Dries van Staden

Meteorologist

"An atavistic endeavour"

Chantal Steyn

ANOKS & AMIGO Scientist

I am one of the three scientists for SANAE 46, and is responsible for all the Ionospheric- and Magnetospheric science projects in and around the base.

I studied Electronic Engineering at the North-West University in Potchefstroom where this great opportunity came along.

I'm a keen world traveler and someone who likes to explore every possible aspect of life. What a PERFECT environment to do this!!

My hobbies include photography, sketching, watching movies and avoiding cooking skivvies!

I expect this expedition to teach me more about myself, the people around me and appreciation for Nature, Family and even small things like fresh fruit! (and cooking).

This serene yet brutal environment will push you to your, physical, emotional and social limits!!

Zamikhaya Magogotya

HF-Radar Scientist

This is Zamikhaya Magogotya, hailing from Queenstown, eMachibini.

I pursued my studies in Electrical Engineering at Cape Peninsula University of Technology.

Currently I’m working as Radar Engineer for HMO, my job focus on keeping the full operation of the HF Share Radar, which is the part of the Super-Darn Radar network and I’m also responsible for the I-TASK Groundhog weather station.

Back at home, I miss those chilly early morning runs; actually I ran quite a lot of half marathons and marathons, like the Foot of Africa, Two Oceans, Wine-lands, to name a few. Hopefully I will be able to find my rhythm on the road when I come back to SA.

Anton Feun

IPY Scientist

Responsible for International Polar Year projects.