South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa is keen on having local native Elon Musk invest his wealth back into his homeland. However, Musk's critique of the nation's Black ownership laws as racist complicates matters. According to Musk, these regulations, which mandate foreign firms to cede ownership stakes to Black individuals—or others historically disadvantaged during apartheid—hinder his satellite internet venture, Starlink, from establishing operations in South Africa.
In a new development, telecommunications official Solly Malatsi is working on a plan to facilitate Starlink's entry, proposing that satellite providers could secure licenses by making investments in marginalized communities rather than being required to sell equity to Black individuals. This initiative would still undergo a public consultation process with the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, the regulatory body of the telecommunications sector.
Malatsi’s initiative has faced backlash from political adversaries who claim that it undermines vital efforts to rectify historical racial inequalities ingrained during apartheid. Critics argue that the move seems to cater to Musk, who, despite being raised in South Africa, seldom visits since his teenage years.
