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The expedition led by explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes to cross Antarctica in winter will set a new record.
That's according to deputy transport minister Sindisiwe Chikunga.
The expedition left Cape Town harbour aboard the SA Agulhas on Monday morning.
Chikunga says in a statement the expedition, dubbed the 'coldest journey on earth', is the first ever attempt in history at crossing Antarctica in winter.
The SA Agulhas is expected to reach Antarctica in four weeks, and will help Fiennes and his team off-load equipment and set up base, before heading back to Cape Town.
