Pretoria, South Africa, 20 September 2024 – HENSOLDT South Africa, a leader in defence and security innovation, proudly participated in the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) Show's Youth Development Programme (YDP). This annual initiative is dedicated to sparking interest in STEM fields among young learners, providing a platform for them to explore exciting careers in defence, aviation, and technology.
From 18 to 22 September, HENSOLDT welcomed around 12 000 top-performing students to its AAD stand. These learners, selected for their academic achievement in mathematics and science, had the unique opportunity to engage with HENSOLDT experts and discover the innovative technologies that define the future of defence.
HENSOLDT emphasised the critical role of STEM education, inspiring students with interactive science experiments, engaging tech quizzes and demonstrations of their technologies. Learners were introduced to HENSOLDT’s advanced systems, such as the Quadome surveillance radar and the ARGOS-8 airborne imaging system, gaining valuable insights into the diverse engineering disciplines that drive their innovation and development.
One of the highlights was a presentation by Jacques Botha, a Mechanical Engineer at HENSOLDT South Africa, who delivered an insightful talk on the company’s capabilities, engineering programmes and bursary opportunities. Reflecting on his experience, Jacques said, “It was incredibly rewarding to see the students' excitement as they explored HENSOLDT’s career opportunities in engineering. Their enthusiasm for STEM careers was truly inspiring.” Adding to the momentum, HENSOLDT Group CEO Oliver Dörre visited the stand, expressing his admiration for the passion and dedication displayed by both the young professionals and the learners. He praised the team’s efforts in mentoring the next generation of innovators, highlighting the vital role that such initiatives play in shaping the future of STEM fields.
HENSOLDT South Africa recognises the importance of nurturing local talent in a country known for its well-established engineering sector. The company is uniquely positioned to leverage this talent pool to develop globally competitive technologies, from research and development to pioneering next-generation systems. By offering world-class engineering opportunities, HENSOLDT aims to retain talent in South Africa, countering the ‘brain drain’ by keeping critical expertise within the country. At all levels, from technicians to specialist engineers, HENSOLDT is committed to fostering a culture of innovation and ensuring that South Africa remains at the forefront of technological development.
HENSOLDT South Africa extends its heartfelt thanks to its team of HR and young professionals for their dedication to making the YDP a success. The company remains steadfast in its mission to inspire, empower and nurture future engineers, innovators, and leaders in STEM.
About HENSOLDT South Africa
HENSOLDT South Africa is a pioneer of technology and innovation in defence and security electronics. The company offers a comprehensive range of products, systems and services across defence and civil markets, from electronic warfare and optronics, spectrum monitoring and security solutions, to radar, IFF and datalinks. With almost 800 South African employees across four sites in South Africa, it is the HENSOLDT Group’s largest industrial base outside of Germany and one of the largest defence and security electronics companies in South Africa.
About HENSOLDT
HENSOLDT is a leading company in the European defence industry with a global reach. Based in Taufkirchen near Munich, the company develops complete sensor solutions for defence and security applications. As a system integrator, HENSOLDT offers platform-independent, networked solutions. Being a technology leader, the company is also driving forward the development of defence electronics and optronics and is continuously expanding its portfolio based on innovative approaches to data fusion, artificial intelligence and cyber security. In 2023, HENSOLDT achieved a turnover of 1.85 billion euros. Following the acquisition of ESG GmbH, the company employs around 8,000 people. HENSOLDT is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in the MDAX.
Press contact
Ferri Fouché ferri.fouche@hensoldt.net
