In a candid and far-reaching interview, Mark Zheng, Managing Director of Hytera Southern Africa, spoke about the company’s expanding footprint across the continent, its role in supporting public safety through mission-critical communication systems, and its ambitions to empower local industries with advanced technology, artificial intelligence, and hands-on skills development. Zheng also tackled the hard truths about Africa’s infrastructure challenges and outlined Hytera’s strategy for working within these constraints to deliver lasting solutions.
A Strategic Shift in Perception and Presence
Hytera’s recent summit in South Africa marked a significant turning point for the company’s image in the region. For the first time, the firm brought its global summit to African soil, aiming not just to showcase its technology, but to shift perceptions of South Africa among international stakeholders.
“It was very successful,” said Zheng. “From the feedback we received from partners, distributors and customers, there was a real sense of satisfaction. Many of our foreign colleagues had reservations about coming here, largely because of outdated perceptions about safety and infrastructure. But this visit changed minds. That is a win for Hytera and a win for South Africa,” he added.
Hytera used the event to signal its long-term commitment to the region. According to Zheng, local industry and government representatives were encouraged to see the company’s direct engagement. “It showed our willingness to invest, to be part of the development of the region, rather than simply selling into it,” he explained.
A Decentralised Model for a Diverse Region
While many technology firms treat South Africa as a centralised hub for the continent, Hytera has adopted a more nuanced model. It combines a strong South African base with local offices and distributed leadership in countries such as Mozambique, Zambia, Angola and Botswana.
“This is what we call a mixed architecture approach,” explained Zheng. “In our technology, we differentiate between centralised and distributed systems. We have applied the same philosophy to our business operations. South Africa remains important, but other countries in the region are equipped to operate independently, with local intelligence and support.”
This model is particularly suited to Africa’s highly fragmented geography and infrastructure. Rather than relying entirely on Johannesburg or Cape Town, Hytera aims to build capacity closer to the end users.
Crime and the Technology Gap
One of the starkest issues Zheng highlighted was the gap between South Africa’s security needs and the tools currently available to frontline officers. “Public safety is still hampered by outdated technology,” he said. “Many police stations rely on analogue radios. In one instance, I found only one working radio for an entire team of twenty officers. That is simply not workable.”
He stressed that modern, mission-critical communications systems are not luxuries, but necessities. “These systems provide group communication, instant alerts and seamless coordination. They are essential for emergency response. Relying on WhatsApp or mobile phones is neither secure nor efficient,” he added.
Hytera has already begun introducing body-worn cameras and digital radio systems to various forces across Southern Africa. “Zimbabwean police have adopted our body cameras, and we are in discussions with the South African Police Service and municipalities. These devices are not just for recording, they provide live streaming, enabling central command centres to support and guide officers in real time,” he noted.
Harnessing Artificial Intelligence
Hytera is also pushing ahead with artificial intelligence in its solutions, particularly in its Integrated Command and Control, ICC, platform. “AI helps reduce response times and makes dispatching more intelligent,” Zheng explained. “For instance, in an emergency, the system can visually map available resources and identify who is closest, who has the right skills, and how best to respond.”
While Zheng admits this is still an emerging capability, he insists the direction is clear. “It is not perfect yet, but it is the future. We need to reduce reliance on slow, manual processes and empower our public safety teams with fast, accurate, actionable data.”
Building Skills, Not Just Systems
Technology is only part of the equation. For Zheng, investing in people is just as critical. “There is a real shortage of technical skills in mission-critical communication across Africa,” he said. “That is why we have launched the Hytera Empowerment Initiative.”
This includes free and certified training for partners, resellers and engineers. “We have already certified over 150 engineers in South Africa. And this is not just handing out attendance certificates, these are real, demanding certifications. We want quality over quantity,” he stressed.
Zheng pointed out that local support and service standards in South Africa still lag behind countries like China. “In China, people will not tolerate internet outages of even an hour. Here, I once went without electricity for a week due to an administrative error. We cannot accept that. Hytera is trying to improve service delivery wherever we operate.”
Manufacturing Ambitions on Hold
Asked whether Hytera plans to set up manufacturing or R&D in South Africa, Zheng was blunt. “We considered it, but it requires a strong local partner. We are not a direct-to-market company, we work through distributors. So unless we find the right fit, it remains a pending opportunity. It is frustrating, but we won’t compromise.”
Who is Buying, and Why
Public safety remains Hytera’s largest market segment, but there is growing interest across multiple sectors. “Transport, utilities, municipalities, even scientific organisations like the Square Kilometre Array, these are all users of our systems,” Zheng said. “We have a large market share in forestry, parks, logistics, and middle-tier security. Even though our products are cost-effective, they are often so reliable that customers do not need replacements for years. Some resellers actually complain about that. It is a good problem to have.”
Tackling Cybersecurity from the Ground Up
In a region increasingly targeted by cyber threats, Zheng was adamant that Hytera’s technology is built for resilience. “These are not your average networks,” he stated. “They are separate from the public internet, often with military-grade encryption. Devices must be authenticated before connecting, and communication is end-to-end encrypted. So far, we have not seen any cyber breaches in our systems.”
Regulatory Red Tape and the Move to Cellular
While Hytera has had generally smooth relations with regulators, Zheng did highlight one concern. “Some customers find it difficult or slow to obtain frequency allocations. This is a bottleneck,” he admitted. “As a result, many commercial clients are shifting from owning infrastructure to using push-to-talk over cellular, PoC, which operates on mobile networks and avoids licensing hurdles.”
This trend reflects a broader shift from capital expenditure to operating expenditure models. “Just like no one builds their own mobile network to use a smartphone, businesses increasingly prefer to subscribe to communication services rather than invest in costly hardware,” Zheng said.
Reaching Remote Areas Without Infrastructure
Africa’s infrastructure gaps pose significant challenges, but Zheng remains optimistic. “We have solutions that work in these conditions,” he explained. “For example, our repeaters can operate without fibre or microwave links. We have also engineered equipment to run on low voltage, essential for solar-powered sites.”
Such innovations, while technical, make a huge difference in rural deployment. “This is the kind of engineering we pride ourselves on, practical, grounded, and focused on real-world use.”
The Road Ahead, Integration, Not Isolation
Looking to the future, Zheng believes the most important development is the integration of systems. “People talk about smart cities, but what does that really mean? It means everything must work together, CCTV, sensors, radios, dispatch. Like the human body, you need eyes, ears, a brain, and the ability to act. That is what our integrated command and control systems offer.”
Hytera is already demonstrating these systems in their experience centres, inviting partners and government departments to explore what a truly connected safety infrastructure looks like.
Zheng concluded with a comparison to his homeland. “In China, you can use one app like WeChat to do everything, from communication to banking to public services. That level of integration is what we aim to bring to public safety in Africa.”
“But we need to be practical. South Africa and the region have unique challenges. That is why we adapt, localise, and invest, not just in technology, but in people.”
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The post Interview: Mark Zheng, Managing Director of Hytera Southern Africa, Pushing for Safer, Smarter African Cities appeared first on defenceWeb.