A South African delegation led by His Excellency Deputy President Paul Mashatile visited Yahsat Communications, a prominent satellite communication company, to explore potential collaborations to enhance South Africa’s communications sector.
The meeting was attended by key stakeholders from both parties, including Karim Sabbagh, Managing Director Designate of SPACE42; Ali Al Hashemi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Yahsat; Hasan Al Hosani, Managing Director of Bayanat, and Sulaiman Al Ali, Chief Commercial Officer of Yahsat, facilitated high-level discussions. The South African delegation, comprising Mondli Gungubele, South Africa’s Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, senior government officials, department heads, and representatives from Brainwave Projects SA, Yahsat’s satellite broadband solutions provider in South Africa, engaged in comprehensive deliberations.
Ali Al Hashemi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Yahsat, expressed gratitude for the visit. He underscored Yahsat’s reputation as a respected satellite communications provider and highlighted the UAE’s leadership in advancing SpaceTech and AI solutions. He emphasised Yahsat’s commitment to connecting rural and isolated communities across South Africa and Africa, showcasing the advanced capabilities of its products and services.
Mondli Gungubele, South Africa’s Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, outlined the meeting’s objective of fostering collaboration in the satellite communications sector, leveraging the UAE’s advanced satcom sector and intelligent data solutions services. He emphasised the South African government’s mission to utilise space solutions to bridge communication gaps between rural and urban areas and ensure secure information flow across government agencies. Discussions also encompassed potential partnerships between South Africa and the UAE, including developing and launching a South African communication satellite and interim measures to enhance the country’s communication sector while the satellite project progresses.
Gungubele highlighted the need to address the skills gap required to operationalise South Africa’s satellite communications outfit, emphasising efforts to upskill where necessary to ensure full operationalisation by South African engineers once the satellite is in orbit.
