eNews
#06 2025
SAEON’s commitment to the science that sustains our planet
By Dr Mary-Jane Bopape, Managing Director, NRF-SAEON
As we approach the end of 2025, we are proud to present another edition of our newsletter, highlighting the depth and reach of SAEON’s contributions across land and ocean. This edition brings together achievements from our nodes and landscapes that reflect the scientific excellence, collaboration and national impact that define our network.
You will read about the successful deployment of ocean gliders on the Agulhas Bank, an important milestone in expanding South Africa’s ocean observing capabilities. SAEON played a leadership role in Ocean20, aligned with South Africa’s G20 Presidency. Through the UN Ocean Decade-endorsed Ocean20 social engagement track, colleagues at the Egagasini Node developed an innovative hands-on workshop using accessible technologies, data and ocean modelling. Dr Tamaryn Morris represented the Ocean20 initiative in the handover of the G20 Social Summit Declaration to His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa.
We also celebrate Philile Mvula, who has joined the Egagasini Node as an Ocean Products Developer, while also advancing her PhD research on the Agulhas Current, using in-situ observations and CROCO model outputs to investigate potential kingklip spawning habitats.
Our outreach efforts continued to grow. In celebration of Marine Month, SAEON and NRF-SAIAB hosted a vibrant and educational community workshop in Addo, extending ocean literacy to inland communities. We also hosted the National Blue Schools Conference in Gqeberha, further strengthening our commitment to building the next generation of ocean stewards.
The successful deployment of ocean gliders on the Agulhas Bank signals an important milestone in expanding South Africa’s ocean observing capabilities.
The uLwazi Node is playing a central role in co-developing an Operational Water Resources Accounting System for South Africa, funded by the Water Research Commission. (Photo © Shutterstock/Hannes Thirion)
Across our terrestrial landscapes and nodes, collaboration and capacity building remained strong. From 3–6 November, Tsumbedzo Ramalevha and Helga Knoetze joined researchers, conservationists and restoration practitioners at the Organisation for Tropical Studies workshop at Skukuza. This gathering brought together experts from SAEON, SANParks, universities and NGOs to refine long-term vegetation monitoring methodologies and strengthen cooperation on savanna restoration. Dr Nolusindiso Ndara represented SAEON/EFTEON at the 26th WaterNet/WARFSA/GWP–SA Symposium in Zambia, where she presented on a collaborative study on water quality in a non-perennial river system in the Western Cape.
The EFTEON Lowveld landscape hosted its first multi-stakeholder workshop since inception, bringing together academia, NGOs, research institutions and landscape partners to share progress and future directions of the landscape. At the seventh Garden Route Interface and Networking (GRIN) Conference in Knysna, SAEON’s social-ecological systems team continued to build networks with organisations working in the major terrestrial ecosystems observed through EFTEON.
The Grasslands Node partnered with EFTEON Northern Drakensberg to host a Grade 9 Science Camp for learners from the Maputaland Coastal Plain, fostering curiosity, scientific thinking and environmental awareness.
The uLwazi Node is playing a central role in co-developing an Operational Water Resources Accounting System for South Africa, funded by the Water Research Commission. This effort supports the country’s natural capital accounting ambitions and will provide an integrated spatial portal for water resource accounts at multiple scales. At the Living Data 2025 (Datos Vivos) conference in Bogotá, our Curation Specialist, Danielle Seymore, reflected on biodiversity data as “living knowledge”, a reminder of the dynamic interplay between ecosystems, people and the data that connects them.
Across our terrestrial landscapes and nodes, collaboration and capacity building remained strong.
“Leading SAEON has been one of the greatest honours of my career.” ~ Dr Mary-Jane Bopape
Our Supply Chain Management department hosted a successful Enterprise and Supplier Development Day, equipping SMMEs with the knowledge and confidence to participate effectively in our procurement processes.
Together, these stories showcase what makes SAEON unique, an initiative built on scientific excellence, environmental stewardship, innovation and community impact.
This newsletter also comes at a personal moment of transition. At the end of December, I will conclude my tenure as Managing Director of SAEON and as an employee of the National Research Foundation. Leading SAEON has been one of the greatest honours of my career. I have been deeply privileged to represent SAEON nationally and globally, and to witness the remarkable dedication of our scientists, technicians, data specialists and support teams.
I extend my heartfelt thanks to our stakeholders, partners and collaborators for your continued support and shared commitment to advancing environmental science in South Africa. SAEON is well-positioned for an exciting future, and I leave confident in the strength, vision and capability of the people who will carry its work forward.
May your festive season be peaceful and restorative. We look forward to seeing how 2026 unfolds for our community and for the science that sustains our planet.
