Altron’s Nexus unit has rebranded to Sentiv following a buyout by its management from the JSE-listed technology group.
Founded in 1965, Altron Nexus specialises in critical communications infrastructure that has to do with designing, building and managing secure communication networks across SA.
This week, the company said it had signed transaction agreements to enable a management buyout from the Altron Group.
Altron put a for-sale sign on Nexus in 2023 after it lost the lucrative Gauteng Broadband Network contract to MTN. The firm was first awarded a R1.2bn contract in 2014 to build a 1,600km high-speed fibreoptic network in Gauteng as part of the national government’s broadband target to achieve full connectivity in the province by 2030.
Having implemented phase one and two of the project, there was an expectation it would also be awarded the third phase, which was not the case.
Altron Nexus essentially provides two main services. The first is critical communications through mobile connectivity and radio networks for operations in areas such as mining and logistics. These are used by organisations such as the SA Police Service, Gautrain, and Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa).
We’re not out of the business of building and running broadband networks necessarily. We still have that capability within Altron’s digital business.
— Werner Kapp, Altron CEO
According to Altron CEO Werner Kapp, “We’re not out of the business of building and running broadband networks necessarily. We still have that capability within Altron’s digital business.”
In early 2024, Altron combined three of its business units — Karabina, Systems Integration and Managed Solutions — to create an IT services unit called Altron Digital Business. Some of the capability of Nexus was retained in that unit.
The Nexus buyout is led by Louis du Toit, the company’s MD who will assume the role of CEO, and former Liquid Intelligent Technologies boss Reshaad Sha, who will serve as executive chair.
“Altron Nexus, now rebranded as Sentiv, has played a pivotal role in shaping SA’s mission-critical communications landscape for over half a century,” said Sha.
“From supporting the communications needs of police services and emergency responders to enabling disaster management and industrial operations, its legacy is deeply entrenched in the nation’s infrastructure. It’s a privilege to lead a company with such a proud heritage. I would like to thank the Altron Group for their support and partnership with Louis and me in this buyout.”
Sha’s new firm says the name Sentiv is derived from a blend of “sentient” and “intuitive,” reflecting the company’s “evolution into a platform-led business that is not only responsive and aware but also empowers its customers with real-time insights, adaptive connectivity and predictive intelligence — enabling performance when it matters most.”
The transaction is subject to the fulfilment of conditions precedent, which are targeted to close by the end of June.
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