Posted on April 23, 2024
Between 7 and 11 April 2024, a group of researchers from the Ocean Regions Programme (ORP) in the Department of Political Sciences at the University of Pretoria, went on an experiential research trip to Cape Town. The visit included a trip to Maersk (shipping and logistics), Koeberg Nuclear Power Station, the South African Navy, the Institute for Maritime Technology (IMT), iThemba Labs, and the Arne Soderland Museum. The aim of the visit was to gain a terraqueous snapshot of the maritime environment, that is, to gain a better understanding of the link between the ocean and the land. Alfred Mahan described countries as having either a “maritimity” or “continentality” perspective. Despite the strong connection to the oceans displayed by the places we visited, South Africans nevertheless tend towards "continentality," emphasising terrestrial considerations over maritime dimensions. This visit prompted critical introspection, fuelling inquiries into whether South Africa's identity aligns more with that of a maritime nation or a continental one. The report from the trip can be found below.
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