ONE of the world’s leading manufacturers of illuminating tools, and the largest tactical torch manufacturer, Nextorch, is making a major investment in its local operation, Nextorch Africa. Split over five years, the amount will be delivered in the form of support, equipment, stock and capital. The investment underscores growing confidence in the country’s private security industry, which continues to expand – driven by persistent security challenges and increasing demand for professional protection services.
“Tactical lighting is an often-overlooked component of security – but it is essential to the work of security officers, law enforcement, and anti-poaching units. However, affordability is often a key barrier for these groups. The investment from HQ means Nextorch Africa will be able to expand our national footprint and offer quality products at a much lower price point for SA’s security and law enforcement landscape,” says Werner van der Westhuizen, director at Nextorch Africa, who has over 15 years of experience working as a private military contractor in Africa.
South Africa has the largest private security industry in the world, with more than 15,000 registered security companies and around 2.7 million registered private security officers nationwide, according to the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA). Overall, the number of security businesses in the country grew by 43% in the past decade – a trend that is set to continue, considering South Africa’s crime rate, which ranks among the highest globally.
“The private security industry plays a critical role in supporting law enforcement in South Africa, working together with the SAPS to fight crime and keep people safe. With a national presence, we’ll be able to stock the full range of Nextorch products and facilitate product demos for businesses, anti-poaching units, and law enforcement anywhere in the country,” says Van der Westhuizen.
Nextorch Africa is an official supplier to the Tshwane Metro Police, as well as over 100 private security companies across the country – including household brands like Fidelity ADT and Bidvest Protea Coin. It also contributes military-grade equipment to South Africa’s broader security ecosystem, providing sponsorships to the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Community Policing Forum (CPF) groups, and anti-poaching units throughout the country. Globally, Nextorch supplies products to over 150 countries, including over 2.4-million police officers in China.
“We’re excited about the expansion of Nextorch Africa and the impact on the private security sector,” says Waal de Waal, Chief Operating Officer at Bidvest Protea Coin. “More and more, South Africans are relying on private security companies to protect their homes and give them peace of mind. For us, peace of mind comes from knowing that we can rely on our equipment to work in risky circumstances. It’s a win-win for everyone.”
“For us, it’s about empowering security professionals with the best equipment for the job – and ensuring they can keep themselves and the public safe. The investment from Nextorch HQ also provides us with a foundation to expand into the rest of Africa and offer premium products across the continent,” says Van der Westhuizen.
