As South Africa navigates the complexities of its digital transformation, a state-owned company finds itself steering the nation through uncharted territories. Sentech, the country’s signal distributor, is tasked with enabling this evolution while confronting the inherent challenges that come with it.
In a candid interview, Tebogo Leshope, Sentech’s interim chief executive, shed light on the organisation’s multifaceted role in shaping South Africa’s media landscape and fostering an inclusive digital society.
A resounding message that emerged was the critical need for continuous skills development and capacity building to drive the successful adoption of emerging technologies like 5G, artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things. Mr. Leshope emphasised the importance of talent management strategies that empower the workforce to adapt swiftly.
“While you are still managing the current technologies, there is new technology coming on board, and you cannot remove yourself from that reality,” he said, underscoring Sentech’s pursuit of partnerships across Africa to bolster this upskilling initiative.
Embracing open standards and collaborative approaches is another cornerstone of Sentech’s strategy, a departure from the conventional model of operating in isolation. “Collaboration is embraced quite extensively. The traditional approach of an individual entity might get left behind,” Mr. Leshope remarked.
A pivotal aspect of Sentech’s mission is the imminent migration from analogue to digital television broadcasting, a transition that promises operational efficiencies and financial benefits. However, Mr. Leshope acknowledged the complexities involved, including the need to equip households with compatible devices to receive digital signals.
Sentech aims to offer comprehensive solutions encompassing transmission, distribution and device provisioning, streamlining the process for broadcasters and viewers. “We will take care of the transmission,” Mr. Leshope said. “Content creators can focus on generating quality content.”
Addressing the coexistence of multiple platforms — terrestrial, satellite and over-the-top services — Mr. Leshope recognised the evolving media consumption habits of South African viewers. While satellite TV adoption has grown, he envisions a future where these platforms coexist, catering to different economic dynamics.
“Our view is that technology drivers will lead to a coexistence of these multiple platforms, and media distribution will become subsumed for quite some time,” he explained.
As South Africa navigates this digital shift, Sentech’s responsibilities extend beyond mere signal distribution. By fostering collaborations, embracing open standards and providing comprehensive solutions, the organisation aims to bridge the digital divide, ensuring no one is left behind in an increasingly connected world.
“The more you have the unemployed, the higher our numbers of exclusions will be,” Mr. Leshope said, accentuating the socioeconomic implications of this transition and Sentech’s role in mitigating them.
