The Department of Public works (DPW) is sending a 32-member delegation to the research base in Antarctica for maintenance and renovation of the base station.
DPW is the custodian of the research base, the South African National Atlantic Expedition (SANAE IV), which was completed by DPW in 1998. The original SANAE base, which belonged to Norway, was handed over to South Africa (DPW) in 1961, but it was snowed under. Thereafter, DPW built SANAE II and III and the most current – SANAE IV.
The DPW Maintenance team's tasks will include, among others, floor refurbishments in the base and the hospital (also built by DPW), improvement of ventilations so that air quality will be much better - ensuring 20% saving of air, ensuring that the base also contributes to the green environment – using generator sets that are more energy efficient and have less emissions, fire detection systems that are more human and environmentally friendly and installation of energy efficient under-floor heating.
The DPW team is led by Hein Smith, a veteran who has been travelling to Antarctica during the same period for 34 years. He is the hub of information on the role of the DPW.
You are cordially invited to join the DPW and the Department of Environmental Affairs at the send-off event.
Details of the send-off event:
Date: 3 December 2015
Time: 10h00
Venue: East Pier 2, Waterfront, Cape Town
Enquiries:
Thami Mchunu
Cell: 079 519 6997
