Cautious optimism over new laws for Elon Musk's Starlink

Business sector remains optimistic that new law will accomodate Elon Musk

- SIPHELELE DLUDLA

THE business sector has remained cautiously optimistic amid the possibility of a new law that could accommodate South African-born but US-based tech billionaire, Elon Musk, to operate his internet company in South Africa.

This comes after the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, on Friday announced in a policy directive the proposed relaxing of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policies in the ICT sector.

The proposal would allow Musk’s satellite internet service to operate in the country without the usual requirements for 30% ownership to historically-disadvantaged groups, instead focusing on local investment and rural access.

“This move was designed to break a long-standing deadlock and signal South Africa’s openness to innovative solutions, even as broader negotiations remained stuck,” said Bianca Botes, director at Citadel Global.

Musk has falsely repeatedly claimed that he could not operate Starlink in South Africa because he is not black.