SOCCO is an interdisciplinary Earth System Science programme with a balance of strong domain depth and a capacity to jointly engage in ocean-climate science using a combination of expertise in both ocean observations and modelling. SOCCO, through its innovative approaches to tackle one of the most significant scientific challenges to date, understanding the central role of the Southern Ocean for climate, attracts many excellent young South Africans to produce a new generation of graduates (science and engineering) with the skills required to address the challenges of the 21st century. The SOCCO programme builds capabilities through earth science, big data, robotics, computer science and technical engineering which are all essential for the future digital world that requires a skilled and capable workforce for a knowledge based economy and knowledge society.