Thank you to all of you for the warm welcome that you have offered me. I appreciate the time spent to introduce me to the workings of SAEON and the broader National Research Foundation. It has been a busy month, and I have yet to meet all of you. I do hope to meet all of you at your various work sites over the next two quarters.

The last month has been a hive of activity to prepare for the science meeting and the staff recognition awards. Both events will allow great insights into the workings of SAEON. As a distributed business unit there are few opportunities for the various teams across the Nodes and research infrastructures to engage in person.

With staff spread across the country, all of us must finds ways to interact meaningfully through the various online platforms and maximise the opportunities to meet in person when these opportunities (time and funding) present themselves.

The  Employee Recognition Awards are important. As one of the country’s premier science and innovation entities the NRF must strive and recognise excellence in its work. The SAEON Employee Recognition Awards allow us an opportunity for introspection, reflection, recognition, and inspiration. The projects and programs noted in this edition highlight the excellence across the SAEON work areas. Notable among these recognitions is that Dr. Zanele Ntshidi and the South African National Committee on Irrigation and Drainage won five awards at the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) conference held in Marseille, France. They demonstrate national and international success in collaborating with partners at the very local to regional and international dimensions.

This edition of the eNews also provides insights from the Ocean Prediction Enhancements in Regions of Africa and the African Digital Twin Workshop in Contonou to the South African Hydrological Society conference in Drakensberg showcasing that our people are building networks well beyond their own research sites.

Already my initial impressions forming around SAEON include an assemblage of high performing individuals and teams who to deliver at scale for the country. This is the ideal foundation on which we can build further gains and deliver impact. I look forward to building the role of managing director with all of you.