EFTEON conducting fieldwork in Maputaland. DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE,TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION National Research Foundation of South Africa

SAEON Grasslands Node & EFTEON hosted Grade 9 science camp at Bonamanzi Game Reserve, where learners explored field-based science through observing animal species across different ecosystems & collecting data during game drive. DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE,TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION National Research Foundation of South Africa

Meet Dr. Lara Atkinson from the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON), & hear about her thrilling adventures from the Around Africa Expedition carried out by OceanQuest in partnership with OceanX linkedin.com/company/oceanx… National Research Foundation of South Africa DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE,TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION South African Network for Coastal&Oceanic Research

EFTEON staff Abri, Tsumbedzo & Gregor renewing their Work at Heights training to access tower-mounted equipment #worksafe safely. DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE,TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION National Research Foundation of South Africa

Tune into uMhlobo Wenene on the 16th October @ 20:05 to gain insights from Dr. Zanele Ntshidi (Manager: SAEON-Arid Land Node). National Research Foundation of South Africa DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE,TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION

Prof. Tommy Bornman (NRF-SAEON: Elwandle Node & SMCRI ) welcomes guests to the National Blue Schools Conference hosted at NRF-SAEON & funded by the DSTI. He shares insights on how the ocean influences us and how our actions impact it. DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE,TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION National Research Foundation of South Africa

Coastal plants face stress from pollution to rising temperatures. Imanam Maqwazima explores how biological signals can act as nature’s own early warning system for plant stress. #BlueSchoolsSA DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE,TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION National Research Foundation of South Africa

Copper pollution is threatening our oceans. Leony Moyisile explored how seashells could help reduce copper levels and protect marine life. Overcoming challenges by creating a laboratory at home. #BueSchoolsSA DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE,TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION National Research Foundation of South Africa

Human activities put pressure on our water ecosystems. Protecting our rivers means protecting life! 💧Netshikovhela Ndamulelo (Thengwe High, Limpopo) explored how nitrogen & phosphorus drive algae blooms in rivers, a growing warning sign for ecosystem health. #BlueSchoolsSA

Mussels are vital for biodiversity in the intertidal zone. Liyema Vanto (Zimele High) presented his #BlueSchoolsSA project of Perna perna (brown mussels), exploring how Marine Protected areas are important in protecting the population of mussels along the Eastern Cape coastline.

Plastic pollution remains a serious threat to our coasts. Sibusisiwe Biyela (Inkosi Moses Zikhali High) explored how human activities on beaches correlate with macro & microplastic pollution and ways to mitigate this growing problem. #BlueSchoolsSA National Research Foundation of South Africa

Heavy metals are toxic to marine organisms. Milani Xingashe (Zimele High) presented on a comparative analysis of heavy metals in the seaweed Gelidium Prestolids between Buffalo Harbor and Silaka River. #BlueSchoolsSA National Research Foundation of South Africa

Inland plastic pollution reaches our ocean through rivers. Reducing inland plastic pollution reduces the plastic entering our ocean. Feziwe Letwaba presented on the journey of litter from Soshanguve, 30km N. of Pretoria #BlueSchoolsSA Connecting inland learners to the ocean

Lake Sibaya is located in the Umhlabuyalingana area of KwaZulu-Natal. The lake is important to the surrounding areas & the water cycle. Michael van der Merwe looked at how the water level affects water quality in the lake using bacteria & chemical parameters. #BlueSchoolsSA

Ocean currents shape the world's climate & weather. Chanelle Ngwenya's research looked at the role of ocean currents on weather patterns. #BlueSchoolsSA

Estuaries are integral to the health of our ocean ecosystem. Mbalentle Tali explored temp. & salinity variations across the upper, middle & lower zones of an estuary. #BlueSchoolsSA

#BlueSchoolsSA learners & educators went out to sea as part of the educational field trip. Thank you to the team at NRF-SAEON’s Elwandle Node for providing an opportunity for delegates to go out to sea & see the dolphins. NRF-SAEON Research boats became a floating classroom.

AZEF (Arid Zone Ecology Forum) 40th Annual conference, Calitzdrop, October 2025. Huge thanks to NRF-SAEON Arid Lands Node for sponsoring 4 students to attend the AZEF Conference! Your support helps the next generation of scientists to learn, connect & grow. DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE,TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION National Research Foundation of South Africa

Join us on 6th Nov. @ 2 pm to gain insights from Dr. Tony Swemmer (NRF-SAEON Ndlovu Node Manager) on exploring the ecological & hydrological dynamics that follow plantation abandonment & the return of fire on Mariepskop Mountain. Sign up here - forms.gle/RzRrX9AR86XSFF…

Dr. Zanele Ntshidi was selected as part of the SACNASP delegation - China-South Africa Science, Technology, & People-to-People Exchange Series (2025) & participated in a Roundtable Dialogue on Sustainable Development. #DSTI #ScienceDiplomacy #Changsha2025