abstract
The South African Journal of Antarctic Research (Suid-Afrikaanse Tydskrif vir Antarktiese Navorsing) was first published in 1971. The purpose of starting this new publication was stated at the time as being threefold. The purpose of this article is to give a brief overview of the history of the journal, its successes and its failures. It was thought that this could serve as an appropriate epitaph. A full bibliography of all scientific contributions that have been published in the journal is given in a companion article.