To the Ends of the Earth: Antarctica, the Antarctic Treaty and South Africa

The document examines the Antarctic Treaty (1959) and its ancillary agreements, such as the Madrid Protocol, which prohibit mineral exploitation until at least 2048. It analyzes how emerging powers like China, India, and Brazil are increasing their scientific presence to gain political influence. The paper details South Africa's historical role as a founding member and its current focus on science, while arguing that South Africa should integrate its Antarctic activities more deeply into its broader foreign policy and the 'Africa Agenda' to promote a more inclusive global governance regime.

• The Antarctic Treaty established a governance regime that freezes territorial claims to prioritize peace and scientific research, though it maintains a two-tier membership where only 'consultative parties' with substantial scientific activity have voting rights.
• Mineral resource exploitation in Antarctica is explicitly prohibited under the Madrid Protocol until at least January 14, 2048, and overturning this ban requires a 75% majority.
• Emerging powers, specifically China, India, and Brazil, are expanding their scientific presence and expenditure in Antarctica to secure prestige and political leverage within the Treaty system.
• South Africa is the only African state party to the Antarctic Treaty and has operated four successive bases (SANAE I–IV) in a sector claimed by Norway.
• South Africa's engagement with Antarctica has historically been fragmented, with a recent lack of integration between the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and the departments managing science and environment.
• The Antarctic Treaty System faces institutional weaknesses, including a lack of a strong, autonomous secretariat and an 'antiquated' two-tier membership structure that may be inadequate for new commercial and geopolitical challenges.
• Commercial activities such as biological prospecting and unregulated tourism pose threats to the Antarctic environment, while disputes over Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are often driven by the sovereign interests of claimant states.
• South Africa has established a significant maritime presence in the sub-Antarctic by annexing the Prince Edward Islands and declaring a 180,000km2 Marine Protected Area in April 2013.

APA

Sidiropoulos, E., & Wheeler, T. (2016). To the Ends of the Earth: Antarctica, the Antarctic Treaty and South Africa. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/To-the-Ends-of-the-Earth.pdf

Chicago

Sidiropoulos, Elizabeth, and Tom Wheeler. To the Ends of the Earth: Antarctica, the Antarctic Treaty and South Africa. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2016. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/To-the-Ends-of-the-Earth.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Sidiropoulos |first1=Elizabeth |last2=Wheeler |first2=Tom |title=To the Ends of the Earth: Antarctica, the Antarctic Treaty and South Africa |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=23 March 2016 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/To-the-Ends-of-the-Earth.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{sidiropoulos2016ends, author = {Sidiropoulos, Elizabeth and Wheeler, Tom}, title = {{To the Ends of the Earth: Antarctica, the Antarctic Treaty and South Africa}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2016}, month = mar, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/To-the-Ends-of-the-Earth.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }