South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa is keen on encouraging investment from the country's illustrious entrepreneur Elon Musk. However, Musk's criticisms of governmental racism have complicated this desire. He has contended that laws requiring foreign firms to include Black ownership, a measure aimed at redressing apartheid-era inequalities, are discriminatory and obstruct Starlink's operations in South Africa.
To navigate this issue, Solly Malatsi, a prominent telecommunications official, is drafting a directive to enable satellite internet providers like Starlink to acquire operational licenses based on investments in disadvantaged communities, rather than mandating equity sales to Black South Africans. This proposed change will require public consultation with the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa before it can be enacted.
Critics of Malatsi's plan argue that this approach undermines established efforts to rectify historical racial disparities, accusing him of capitulating to Musk's demands. Musk, though a native of South Africa, has maintained a low profile in the country since his adolescent years, raising questions about the government's balance in addressing racial justice concerns while promoting investment.
