The regulations of drones in South Africa

Jaco Meyer, Director in the Corporate & Commercial practice recently did an interview on Business Day Live with Noluthando Mthonti-Mlambo to discuss drone regulations in South Africa.

In recent years, South Africa has embraced drone technology for both commercial and private use. To balance privacy, safety, and security concerns with investment opportunities, the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) introduced comprehensive drone regulations in 2015. This made South Africa one of the first African countries to formalise drone usage.

Understanding the nuances between commercial and private drone use is crucial to avoid non-compliance with regulations. For instance, while private drone operations (i.e., for recreational activities) may not require licenses, users must adhere to safety and security guidelines such as maintaining a visual line of sight, adhering to altitude and distance restrictions, and respecting no-fly zones. On the other hand, commercial drone operations (i.e., for economic gain) require various licenses issued by the SACAA, including an air service license, remote pilot license, operator certificate, and letter of authority.

Watch the full interview below.