Starlink Deal in Jeopardy After President Cyril Ramaphosa Accuses Elon Musk of Holding Racist Views
- The world's richest billionaire Elon Musk's dream of introducing Starlink to South Africa has hit a snag
- The presidency announced that Cyril Ramaphosa is not interested in having his investments because of Musk's views on South African policies
- Musk recently accused the government of having racist laws, referring to the Expropriation Act which Ramapohosa recently signed into law
Tebogo Mokwena, affiliated with Briefly News, provided local and international political analysis and interviews in South Africa for Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News during his nine years of experience.
Source: Getty Images
JOHANNESBURG — Elon Musk's stance on South Africa's policies may prevent the Starlink deal from going through as the Presidency is unwilling to do business with him. This was after Musk blatantly accused the government of enacting racist laws about the Expropriation Act, which President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law.
What is happening with Starlink in SA?
Elon Musk's plans to introduce Starlink to South Africa were initially halted after the company refused to comply with the Broad-Based Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) requirement of ceding 30% of its South African stake to a Historically-Disadvantaged Group which includes black people, women, youth and people living with disabilities.
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The Minister of Communications Solly Malatsi said he would direct the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) to implement equity programmes for the telecommunications sector. This may have made it easier for Starlink to do business with South Africa.
What did the presidency say?
However, MyBroadband reported that the presidency stated that it would not accept his investments because he harbours unprogressive and racist views. It also accused him of peddling lies about the country. Musk has been vocal in alleging that the government seizes private property and suppresses white genocide. He has previously criticised the Expropriation Act.
Source: Getty Images
What you need to know about Elon Musk and South Africa
- Elon Musk met with Ramaphosa in 2024 during the president's attendance at the United Nation's General Assembly in New York, where they discussed business opportunities
- This was after Ramaphosa had a conversation with Musk and invited him to invest in the country
- However, Musk's relations with South Africa took a sour turn after United States President Donald Trump announced that he would cut aid to South Africa after the enactment of the Expropriation Act
- Ramaphosa then hopped on a call with Musk to discuss his views on the Expropriation Act
South Africans on Starlink
Netizens commenting on MyBroadband's @mybroadband X account discussed the Starlink deal.
Jarryd said:
"Fine, eventually the entire continent will have Starlink and South Africa will be an embarrassment."
Oracle said:
"We don't want Starlink. It's too expensive. We are fine with Rain network."
Sithale said:
"We agree with the presidency."
Uppity African said:
"The best decision Cupcake could have taken. Starlink is expensive."
ThapeloM Moreski said:
"Best decision ever. Why act like this is the first time we hear about internet connections when we are above the global average."
Lassy Laden said:
"We stand with the presidency during these difficult times."
Elon Musk calls Julius Malema an international criminal
In a related article, Briefly News reported that Musk took a dig at the Economic Freedom Fighters president Julius Malema and called him an international criminal. Malema hit back.
Musk called for the international community to brand him an international criminal after a video of him saying that the EFF would cut the throat of whiteness went viral. In response, Malema called him a typical spoilt brat.
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Source: Briefly News
