South Africa’s Drone Diva program returns

It is September, and it is time for the next batch of drone divas in South Africa to take their posts.

To recap for the uninitiated, South Africa’s Drone Diva program was started in September 2021 as one of the ways to open up the way for young women in the country to kickstart their careers in unmanned aviation.

As of now, two cohorts have gone through the conveyor belt, which is being driven by Africa Beyond the Fourth Industrial Revolution (AB4IR), a non-profit organisation aimed at bridging the digital divide by empowering communities through technology, innovation and incubation.

While the first cohort sought to recruit young women from a disadvantaged background, the incoming batch of fifteen students from Gauteng province will be sponsored by the University of South Africa’s (UNISA) Inhlanyelo Hub, which conducted the selection process through the university’s alumni office.

“As we launch this programme during South Africa’s women’s month, let’s us embrace the soaring spirit of innovation and witness the African continent rise as a powerhouse in the realm of drone technology,” Professor Raphael Mpofu, Inhlanyelo Hub’s interim CEO, said at a recent ceremony to celebrate the program’s launch.

“Just as mobile phones revolutionised communication, drones hold the key to unlocking limitless possibilities. Let us pioneer a future where African innovation transcends boundaries and propels us to new heights of progress.

“Our mission is no less ambitious. We exist to foster innovation and entrepreneurship and nurture sustainable businesses’ growth, creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond our immediate reach.

“In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, progress is no longer measured solely by technological advancements but also by inclusivity and gender equality. In this context, the Inhlanyelo Drone Divas Programme emerges as a beacon of empowerment for women, a project deeply rooted in our commitment to fostering opportunities in aviation.” 

The launch was attended by stakeholders from within and beyond UNISA, who included representatives from the program pioneer AB4IR, and Ntsu Aviation, the drone services provider that has been the Drone Diva’s technology partner from the start.

Aimed at inspiring more women to actively participate in the disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) education, the program will equip participants with skills in drone piloting, technology development (coding), industry optimisation and manufacturing. 

A rising industry the world over, drone technology has been used in a variety of applications over the last decade, which include data collection, object detection and tracking, public security, traffic surveillance, exploration of hidden or hazardous areas, indoor or outdoor navigation, atmospheric sensing, post-disaster operations, healthcare, data sharing, infrastructure management, emergency and crisis management, freight transportation, wildfire monitoring and logistics.

“This programme is not only opening opportunities for young women to enter the growing drone economy and aviation industry but is also aligned to the vision of the Unisa Catalytic Research Niche Areas,” Inhlanyelo Hub said in a statement.

“The project originated from the drive for drone innovation and adoption as the next area where the African continent will dominate.

“The commercial applications of drones are limitless and find applications in mining, security, surveying, agriculture, nature reservation.”

UNISA Vice-Chancellor, Professor Puleng LenkaBula expressed her appreciation for the commitment and hard work of the Inhlanyelo Hub team, noting that Unisa’s contribution to the growth of this evolving industry is exciting.

“The Inhlanyelo Drone Diva programme sharpens our focus on women and economic development in aviation, specifically the drone industry,” she said.

The hub said it hoped to extend the program to other provinces in South Africa as it takes in more students.

0 Comments

Leave a Comment

Login

Welcome! Login in to your account

Remember me Lost your password?

Lost Password