It has been a really long time coming, but South Africa’s Department of Land Reform, and Rural Development (DLRRD) finally got there.
After three years of trying, the country’s national land use management agency finally obtained its Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operating Certificate (UASOC), a development which is cause for celebration at a department that had already started deploying drone technology within the land administration operations.
For the record, they were using the drones under the aegis of a third party’s UASOC.
“(The) Department of Land Reform and Rural Development Unmanned Aerial Systems Operating Certificate (has been finally) obtained,” proclaimed Clinton Heiman, the acting Director General at the DLRRD.
“Congratulations to all the DLRRD Pilots and UASOC post holders; you have gone beyond the call of duty over last three years!”
Awarded by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), the UASOC of course came as a result of the hard yards put by the powers that be at the lands department, led by Heimann and Stephanus Minnie, the Director, Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Services; and also head of its national drone programme.
It was for Minnie that Heimann reserved special praise
“To Stephanus Minnie “Oh captain my captain” salute!”
So. About that National Drone Programme, which could be the first by a government department in South Africa.
The DLRRD has explained that the main reason for establishing its national drone programme was to help fulfil its constitutionally asserted mandate, as well as the mandates established by the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (SPLUMA), Spatial Data Infrastructure Act (SDI Act), and the Surveying Act.
“The DLRRD's strategic deployment of drone technology ensures adherence to national legislation and showcases DLRRD's commitment to transparent and accountable governance,” the department says.
“The Vision of the Drone Programme is to be “Leading the future of sustainable land management through innovative drone technology, ensuring safety, compliance, and efficiency for the benefit of all South Africans.”
It adds that drone technology – in as far as it is applied to land use management in the department - is easy to deploy, has short lead times and product turnaround times.
“History, has taught us that the acquisition of high-resolution imagery being procured through traditional supply chain process is not only cumbersome, but also slow.
“We live in a world where decisions need to be made on best available information with in ever reducing timeframes. The increasing frequency of disaster incidence related climate change.”
The drones have come and changed all that, according to Shaakir Muhammed Deal, who represented the DLRRD at the Africa Drone Summit, recently held in Cape Town.
They have speeded up turnaround times for high-resolution imagery processing and detailed analysis; enabled the creation of 3D models that integrate with current data systems; enhanced data collection and accuracy, providing survey-grade imagery; and improved monitoring and compliance mechanisms
“The main goal of the DLRRD Drone Programme is to employ drones equipped with modern imaging abilities to aid in decision-making,” Deal said.
“Specifically, these drones play a vital role in emergency scenarios by offering quick response capabilities that align with our responsibility to protect lives and property through enhanced spatial planning.
“South Africa's commitment to sustainable development and technological innovation in agriculture and land administration is evident through its alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“These endeavours not only address critical national priorities, but also highlight the country's dedication to making progress towards these global goals.”
The Drone Programme consists of various elements that seamlessly fuse drone technology with current governmental functions, the departments says.
Its primary objective is to improve the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) capabilities of DLRRD, which will enable all public institutions, State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), and private sector collaborators to easily obtain top-notch remote sensing data whenever needed.
“The Drone Initiative will improve our GIS offerings as a departments the remote sensing data that can be utillised by the Department and various stakeholders in the agricultural and land sectors.”