JOHANNESBURG, March  2024 – Information and communications technology distributor Rectron has partnered with NTSU Aviation Solutions, a comprehensive remotely Piloted/Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS or drones) service provider, to enable it to grow skills and infrastructure in this critical, yet severely under-resourced industry.

With an investment of over R650 000, Rectron is empowering NTSU Aviation to invest into placing drone pilots, drone technicians and administrative and consultancy personnel, as well as critical training equipment, like laptops, projectors, multimedia displays, drones, and other accessories.

“As a small business we experience challenges typical with what one would expect, such as cashflow and lack of resources. As a Rectron reseller partner, this means it is important to have demo units or capability to conduct demonstration to potential clients,” says Sam Twala, founder and managing director at NTSU Aviation Solutions. “As a training facility, the equipment is used extensively for training purposes.

“The drone industry is fairly young and is set to experience exponential growth is South Africa. As a result, skilled personnel will be critical to the growth of the industry. As an entirely new sub-sector, it offers opportunities for those interested in drones as a new tech stream.

“Over the years, I have met a vast number of people with a passion for drones. I once received a call from a gentleman who worked as a security guard and expressed interest in completing drone pilot training to improve his skills for better job opportunities. I encouraged him to register, and while he struggled to complete his pilot training, he eventually succeed and is now working for one of the biggest drone operators in South Africa,” Twala says.

According to Statista Market Insights, the Drones market in South Africa is expected to generate a revenue of US$10.0m in 2024 (up 12.4% from last years), and is projected to experience an annual growth rate of 4.58% (Compound Annual Growth 2024-2028).

In addition to acting as a key Rectron drone reseller in the fast-growing drone sector, NTSU also assists clients in the facilitation of Air Service License (ASL) and UAS Operators Certificate (UASOC) approvals.

The drone industry has a potential to boost our ailing economy and introduce new job opportunities and employment for young people. The partnership between Rectron and Ntsu Drone Academy sponsored seven students in 2023 to do drone training, which included pilot licenses, as well as maintenance technician and advanced pilot training (Beyond Visual Line of Sight). All seven students were placed immediately after completing training.

“Through decades of experience, Rectron has developed a solid understanding of various market challenges and customer requirements, and we are constantly expanding our products and services in line with shifting needs and trends, helping our partners to grow through our ability to offer them equipment at scale,” says Yvelde Wilkins, Consumer electronics product Manager at Rectron.

“In seeing these new trends and revenue streams in the economy, we also support our reseller base with relevant skills and the know-how for them to be able to take advantage of these opportunities for business growth. Through our commitment to enterprise development, we have identified channel partners like NTSU as having the potential to amplify our investment into key growth sectors like the drone industry.”