GARDEN ROUTE | KAROO NEWS - South Africa’s commercial drone sector is entering a period of rapid expansion, with advanced unmanned aircraft increasingly used in logistics, agriculture, security, infrastructure inspection and emergency response.
But as drones begin sharing low altitude corridors and, in some cases, controlled airspace with manned aircraft, the country faces an urgent question: how do we ensure visibility, safety and accountability in skies that are becoming more complex by the day?
According to Kopano Tholo, Senior Drones Underwriter at iTOO Special Risks, the answer lies in accelerating the adoption of technologies and regulatory frameworks that allow all airspace users to see and be seen by one another.
“We are reaching a point where drones and manned aircraft will routinely operate in the same airspace. Without proper visibility and tracking systems, the risk of congestion, near misses, or operational incidents becomes very real,” says Tholo.
A new era of shared airspace
Recent demonstrations at Lanseria International Airport have shown what the future could look like. For the first time in South Africa, a commercial drone equipped with an ADS-B transponder was authorised to fly in controlled airspace alongside manned aircraft – an unprecedented milestone that proved safe integration is possible when the right systems are in place.
This aligns with global trends. In the United States and the United Kingdom, ADS-B based visibility systems are already deployed across major airports, enabling pilots, air traffic controllers and ground vehicles to maintain real-time situational awareness. South Africa, by contrast, is only beginning this journey.
“We are seeing more drones operating near airports, farms, industrial sites, and security estates. But many of these aircraft cannot be identified in real time, which creates blind spots for pilots and air traffic control,” Tholo explains.
“If we want a safe, scalable drone ecosystem, every aircraft – manned or unmanned – must be visible.”
Why visibility matters
Traditional aviation relies on transponders, radar interrogation, and radio communication to maintain separation between aircraft. Drones, however, operate without pilots on board and often without the ability to communicate directly with other airspace users.
This creates a fundamental safety gap.
“A drone pilot on the ground cannot always judge altitude or proximity with the same accuracy as a pilot in a cockpit. Without systems like ADS-B, detect and avoid technology, or remote identification, no one truly knows where that drone is operating,” says Tholo.
The consequences can be severe. Even small drones can cause catastrophic damage if they collide with a helicopter, light aircraft, or critical infrastructure. As drones become larger and capable of carrying heavier payloads, such as the DJI FlyCart 30, the potential impact of an incident increases significantly.
Managing a new class of risk
With drone operations scaling, businesses often underestimate the risks they assume when deploying unmanned aircraft.
“Insurance is ultimately a financial risk transfer mechanism. We protect third parties, infrastructure owners, and operators themselves if something goes wrong. But the best insurance outcome is always one where risk is properly mitigated upfront,” explains Tholo.
Key exposures businesses frequently overlook include:
- Airspace conflicts with manned aviation
- Cyber vulnerabilities in connected drone systems
- Fly-aways caused by signal interference or equipment failure
- Damage to property or critical infrastructure
- Liability for injuries or environmental harm
Technologies such as ADS-B transponders, remote ID, and automated flight-logging systems significantly reduce these risks, and insurers are taking note.
“As the industry evolves, insurers will increasingly adopt risk-based pricing models. Operators who use enhanced safety technologies will benefit from better rates and stronger underwriting terms,” Tholo notes.
Building a safe and sustainable drone ecosystem
For South Africa to unlock the full economic potential of commercial drones, several developments are needed over the next five years:
- Mandated visibility technologies for drones operating near controlled airspace
- Designated drone corridors to support logistics and long-range operations
- Greater collaboration between regulators, air traffic control and industry
- Public education on drone activity and airspace safety
- Integration of ground vehicle transponders to prevent runway incursions and improve airport safety
- Adoption of international best practice from markets already operating at scale
“The regulator is taking a cautious, measured approach, which is appropriate given the security and safety implications. But the industry is moving fast. If we want to avoid future incidents, we must prioritise visibility, accountability, and collaboration now,” says Tholo.
South Africa stands at a pivotal moment. The technologies exist, the use cases are expanding, and the economic benefits are significant. Yet, without robust safety frameworks and real-time visibility, the risks will grow as quickly as the opportunities.
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