South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Communications and Technology, Mondli Gungubele, has urged Elon Musk to work with the government to resolve regulatory hurdles preventing the launch of his Starlink satellite internet service in the country.
Gungubele made the appeal on Monday at an event hosted by Bloomberg near Cape Town, saying the government remained willing to engage Musk and his company on the ownership requirements for telecommunications operators.
“Can you get along with us? Work with us in this journey of minimising inequality?” Gungubele asked, adding, “I hope Elon is listening.”
Starlink, a satellite internet service operated by Musk’s SpaceX, has yet to launch commercially in South Africa, one of Africa’s largest economies.
A major sticking point is South Africa’s licensing framework, which requires telecommunications companies to have at least 30 per cent ownership by Black citizens.
The requirement forms part of policies introduced after the end of apartheid to increase Black participation in an economy that had excluded the majority of the population under white-minority rule.
Musk, who was born in South Africa, has criticised the requirement, arguing that it is preventing Starlink from obtaining an operating licence.
On April 12, he wrote on his X social-media platform that he could not obtain a licence for Starlink “simply because I am not Black.”
Gungubele, however, argued that the ownership requirement should not prevent Musk from benefiting significantly from the South African market.
“What is 30% share if you take into account the 70% value that you are going to make in terms of yields and profits?” he said.
The deputy minister said Musk could make a significant investment in his country of birth while working within South Africa’s regulatory framework.
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Starlink uses a network of low-Earth-orbit satellites to provide internet connectivity, including in areas where traditional terrestrial broadband infrastructure can be difficult or expensive to deploy.
The technology has attracted interest in countries seeking to expand internet access, particularly in underserved areas.
In South Africa, the service could provide another option for users who have faced costly or unreliable internet connectivity, although Starlink’s entry remains subject to the country’s licensing and ownership requirements.
Gungubele said discussions between the government and Starlink were continuing as authorities seek to resolve the outstanding issues.
“We’re engaging on all those issues, and we hope to find one another,” he said.
The dispute highlights the tension between South Africa’s efforts to broaden Black ownership in the economy and the requirements of international technology companies seeking access to the country’s telecommunications market.
About the Author
Cecilia Attah is a tech analyst with a degree from Benue State University. She covers tech news and startups at TechRegard with a focus on how technology is transforming Africa and shaping the global landscape.
