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05 August 2022 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Supplied
Marike Stander
For the first time in her life, Marike Stander accompanied a group of researchers for their annual relief expedition with the SA Agulhas II from Cape Town to Marion Island, where she assisted with fieldwork and data collection. Here she is pictured at the snow-covered Karookop.


The Prince Edward Islands are the most southerly part of South Africa’s official territory and consist of Marion Island and Prince Edward Island. On Marion Island, about 270 km² in size and situated in the sub-Antarctic Indian Ocean, 1 920 km from the South African shore, activities are restricted to research and conservation management. 

This is where Marike Stander, Lecturer in the Department of Geography at the University of the Free State (UFS), was granted the opportunity to assist a research group led by Prof Werner Nel (University of Fort Hare) and Prof David Hedding (Unisa) – based on her knowledge and experience in tracer sampling. 

Back home, Stander is working to complete her doctoral research, investigating the often-overlooked major issue of soil erosion. She believes the management of soil erosion, a global issue, is key. According to her, it impacts the storage of carbon and nutrients, and therefore the production of food, but it can also act as a pollutant in water sources.

Fieldwork and data collection

She was approached by the Sub-Antarctic Landscape-Climate Interactions (SANAP-LCI) Research Group, a project funded by the South African National Antarctic Programme-NRF. One of their research objectives is to explore the viability of using geochemical tracers in the substrate on Marion Island, the focus of Stander’s doctoral research. 

With the support of the UFS Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences and the Department of Geography, she was released to accompany the research group for the first time in her life on their annual relief expedition with the SA Agulhas II from Cape Town to Marion Island, where she assisted with fieldwork and data collection. During this three-week field campaign, Stander collected sediment samples for the tracer project, as well as rock and peat samples.

With the SANAP-LCI group collaborating with research labs in the United Kingdom and France, she was able to bring her expertise to the table, while at the same time learning about other geochronological techniques and field methods.  

She was also excited about the exposure to the work of a myriad of researchers in various fields from around the world. Stander says in a time when the importance of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary work is being emphasised, it was invaluable to meet and learn from various distinguished scientists.  “It changes your perspective and allows your mind to not only think outside the box, but also to think about all the interconnected boxes and how they affect each other.”

She believes being exposed to various sampling strategies from different scientists also broaden one’s skill set and experience. “Using your capabilities and skills in a different setting builds depth to your skill set and expands your horizon.”

Volcanoes and albatrosses 

Very few people get the opportunity to visit Marion Island. Thus, just the chance to visit and experience life on the island is described by many as one of their most memorable events. Always fascinated by volcanic features, Stander was completely captivated by this relatively young volcanic island. “There are so many interesting features, such as the pahoehoe and a’a lava flows, as well as the numerous scoria cones,” describes Stander, who cannot believe that she managed to cover the vast distances in gumboots, the only footwear that are effective to cross anything – from razor-sharp rocks to deep waterlogged mires.

She was also overwhelmed by the flora and fauna on the island.  “It is so very different from what we are used to and from what I’ve experienced before.  Seeing these animals in a relatively untouched remote location really captivated me,” she says. 

“More specifically, I fell in love with the albatrosses.  These remarkable seabirds cover vast distances over the ocean looking for food. They are unfortunately threatened by the invasive mice on Marion Island.” Stander invites people to help organisations such as Mouse-Free Marion to take on the difficult task of eradicating these mice. Find them at www.mousefreemarion.org.

On a lighter note, Stander also learnt a thing or two that was totally new to her. For instance, that there are radio telescopes installed on the radio-quiet Marion Island, searching for the universe’s first stars. And that male elephant seals that drive out all other male competitors during mating season are called ‘beachmasters’. She learned that these ‘beachmaster’ bulls have a harem of female elephant seals and can weight up to three tons.


• She wishes to thank Prof Werner Nel, Prof David Hedding, and Dr Liezel Rudolph (UFS) from the SANAP-LCI project for affording her the opportunity to join the expedition. She also thanks the SANAP-NRF and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment for making the expedition possible. 

News Archive

Fundraising while having fun
2016-01-25

With the Receive And Give (RAG) Community Service processions and festival around the corner, the public can expect loads of festive fun for the whole family. 

Over the years, RAG has grown in popularity among the Bloemfontein community as the official launch of the social calendar. At the beginning of each year, the streets come alive with thousands of students from the University of the Free State and their colourful floats. They are joined by spectators from all over the city. 

Float building

The ‘Cartoons, Animation and children snacks’ theme for 2016, has kept first-year students and RAG representatives working tirelessly since 18 January 2016, building majestic floats that are sure to entice on-lookers.

Ritsim Magazine sales

The annual RAG publication, Ritsim, is now available for only R25 a copy. All proceeds are channelled into different charities across the country.

This year, in a joint venture between Kovsie RAG and Volksblad, approximately 8000 Ritsims will be sold as a package deal with all the newspapers in the Northern Cape and Free State. 

The processions

About 10 000 meals will be distributed to needy residents of the Heidedal and Mangaung communities at the Twin City mall after the morning procession.

Floats will be judged prior to the morning procession. The float winners will be announced at 17:00 at the RAG Farm, and the winners will lead the afternoon procession. 

Date: 30 January 2016 
Times: 10:00 (morning procession) and 18:00 (afternoon procession)
Route for morning procession: Pelonomi Hospital to Twin City mall
Route for evening procession: Tempe traffic light at Nelson Mandela Drive to Old Grey Sports Grounds

The festival 

After a day of chanting, collecting donations, and feeding the community, the RAG festival will round out the day with good music. Both young and old will be entertained by well-known and vibrant artists such as Vusi Mahlasela, Karen Zoid, and Francois van Coke.

Date: 30 January 2016
Time: Gates open at 16:00
Place: Old Grey Sports Grounds

Tickets are available from Computicket and at the gate for R100 per person and R50 per student or children under 12 years of age.

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