Transformation in the aerial surveying and mapping industry

Smartvest Investment– a Black owned investment holding company – and Southern Mapping Company (SMC), a South African company and a world leader in Airborne Mapping have formed a new partnership, Southern Mapping Geospatial (SMG). Southern Mapping Geospatial is South Africa's first Black owned airborne Lidar and airborne Hyperspectral Company which will service clients in both the public and private sectors throughout South Africa.

"We hope that this new venture will be one of many niche sectors which have until now escaped the attention of Black entrepreneurs" explains Bheki Sibiya, majority shareholder and Executive Chairman of Southern Mapping Geospatial. "Airborne surveys, data capturing and mapping is a strategic service to several industries as it provides answers to mining activations, transport infrastructure, surveys for precision farming, municipal services, electricity utilities, as well as applications for monitoring urban and rural developments".

Sibiya is upbeat about the partnership with SMC."While the sector does allow room for a Black owned company, it would be counter-productive to reinvent the wheel from a technology, engineering and experience point of view. We will source infrastructure from SMC. They will make available their technologies, while our Managing Director Dumi Sibandze, Director Pontso Maruping and Director Sipho Twala will join me in supporting the venture through exploring existing and new markets and identifying new business opportunities." Three SMC executives will be joining the Board as Directors. They are Norman Banks, Alex Fortescue and Carlos Clara.

Says Sibiya: "With the existing SMC technologies for airborne Lidar (Light detection and ranging), Hyperspectral imaging, satellite remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems, we will be able to offer basic and advanced solutions that will allow clients to address change in their business landscapes." He says that the performance of commerce and industry is benchmarked on the application of technologies and that SMG will make a difference with its offering in the air-to-ground surveying and mapping space.

He is however concerned about the long term sustainability of the industry, as it is evident that there is a lack of interest displayed by the youth in following a career in the airborne surveying and mapping industry. "This is a growing industry and we need to be proactive in our efforts to attract a new generation of qualified workers. SMG will therefore introduce a new bursary scheme to attract a few young talented Blacks who performed well in mathematics and science and will sponsor their tertiary education."

Sibiya says that a particular company focus will be on advancing surveys that can support strategies for sustainable development in the public sector. "We need to measure the challenges South Africa faces in regard to population growth and shifts in urban and rural development and deliver more than just maps. In addition, we need to consult with the authorities on possible answers for infrastructural development and implementation."

Southern Mapping Company Chief Executive Peter Moir: "As we have recorded major successes in international markets, it was found necessary to establish partnerships to support our business interests. The local partnership with Southern Mapping Geospatial will further advance the delivery of our offering to commerce and industry in South Africa and this move underscores our attributes of diversity and transformation."