Controversial Starlink directive raises tension within GNU

South Africa may scrap Black ownership rule

South African authorities moved to amend rules on Black ownership requirements, potentially paving the way for Elon Musk’s Starlink and other satellite-internet companies to operate in Africa’s biggest economy. Telecoms Minister Solly Malatsi last week told the industry regulator to allow equity-equivalent investment programs to count toward empowerment rather than insisting on 30% local Black-ownership, a policy introduced nearly 30 years ago t…

Controversial Starlink directive raises tension within GNU

The Government of National Unity faces a potential crisis as DA Minister Solly Malatsi's controversial Starlink policy directive sparks outrage among coalition partners.

EFF: Starlink poses 'security risk' to South Africa

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have publicly condemned Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Solly Malatsi’s decision to gazette a policy direction in favour of Elon Musk’s Starlink operating in South Africa. The department published a directive for the Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP), which is an amendment to local ownership laws, such as the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) Act, in the ICT sector. The news come…

South Africa Lawmakers Seek Halt to Starlink Rule Easing Amid Empowerment Row

The political path for Elon Musk’s Starlink to enter South Africa has hit a major snag after a key parliamentary committee demanded the withdrawal of a policy directive that would ease local Black ownership requirements for satellite-internet companies. The Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies called for the policy directive to be scrapped, placing […] The post South Africa Lawmakers Seek Halt to Starlink Rule Easing Am…

South Africa eases ownership rules, opening door for Starlink

CAPE TOWN, South Africa – South Africa will amend rules on local black ownership requirements after a directive from the telecommunications minister, which could pave the way for satellite-internet companies, including Elon Musk’s Starlink, to operate in the country. Starlink’s parent company SpaceX wrote to the telecoms regulator ICASA last year saying that local shareholding laws were a significant barrier and that it should rethink the 30 per…