South Africa President, Cyril Ramavusa, He was Clamor about his desire to see the richest son of his country, Elon Musk, investing some billions at home.
But his initiatives stumbled because of Mr. Musk’s criticism of the South African government as a racist. Mr. Musk argued that the law that requests foreign companies selling ownership shares to black people – or others who faced discrimination during the apartheid – is a discrimination and prevents the Internet provider online, Starlink, from working there.
Now, the South African official paves the way for Starlink, and other similar service providers to work in the country through an alternative to the requirements of black ownership.
The official, Solly Malatisi, who supervises the country’s and wireless communications in the country, said that he is ending a directive that would allow Internet satellites to obtain licenses through investing in disadvantaged societies, rather than selling shares in their companies.
The guidance will still need to pass through a public advice process with the Independent Communications Authority in South Africa, which regulates the communications industry, before it comes into effect.
Mr. Malatisi Politicians say that providing an alternative to black property will undermine efforts to retreat from the racist variations that were strengthened during the apartheid. They accuse him of trying to satisfy Mr. Musk, who was born and raised in South Africa, but rarely returned since he turned away when he was a teenager.
“The minister is seeking to cut angles and erode the hard transformation goals,” said Khosella Sanjoni Deco, head of the parliamentary committee that oversees the communications, in a statement this week.
She added that many other satellite operators are also interested in investing in South Africa and are ready to comply with the current rules, so “there is no need for excessive dependence and obsession with a single satellite provider.”
But Mr. Malaatsi insisted that the change is taking place to stimulate economic growth by attracting a variety of companies, not just Starlink.
To attract foreign companies, most other industries in South Africa already allow alternatives to black property, known as “stock equations”.
Mr. Malatisi said that the equivalent “had an effective role in attracting the investments that affect the need in areas such as the auto sector.” He added that they have deducted the people who were deprived before by “spreading opportunities and leading development.”
The rules related to black property were created after the end of the Apartheid 30 years ago in an attempt to raise it economically from South Africa, who were largely prohibited from possessing major companies under the white rulings government.
The restriction of the discussion on Starlink is the tense political climate in South Africa. Mr. Malaatsi belongs to the Democratic Alliance, the second largest political party in the country, and is in a multi -juvenile coalition led by the largest party, the African National Congress. The two parties contradict many issues.
In a message submitted to the South Africa Communications Authority last November, Starlink has argued that it could contribute to the goals set by the government to provide a high -speed internet in areas that suffer from a lack of services to help develop the economy, create jobs and improve social services.
However, Mr. Musk’s criticism in South Africa has created a lack of confidence between some government officials who raised concerns about giving Mr. Musk a lot of control over the internet connection in the country.
The government accused Mr. Musk, who owns the social media platform X, of collecting wrong information, noting its functions on social media that enhances the conspiracy theory faced by South Africa whitening, and its description of land reform law as racist.
These comments feed a wider attack by President Trump and his administration against South Africa. Mr. Trump signed an executive order in February to stop most of the American aid to South Africa and provide a position to some white South Africa, noting the land law as discrimination.
Vincent Magwina, a spokesman for the president, said that Mr. Ramavusa, President of South Africa, met Mr. Musk in New York last year, and the two discussed the possibility of Mr. Musk Motor Company, Tsla, and his project in space exploration, Spacex, and investment in South Africa alongside Starlink.
But these considerations are suspended due to “modern experience with unhealthy Eleon posts in X and the discrimination campaign against South Africa,” said Magwenya.
He added that the president may review the discussions, “when things stabilize and we are able to progress in a better condition in the relationship with the Trump administration.”
Starlink is licensed in 20 African countries or lands. The service has been quickly sold in some places because it often provides faster internet speeds at lower prices than traditional broader companies can provide.
But Starlink’s efforts on the continent were sometimes rugged.
Traditional telecommunications companies, including some state ownership, have raised fears that Starlink gives preferential treatment or that they flooded the rules.
“We welcome the competition,” said Khania Massi Minyantesi of the Comments and Technology Association, which presses the South African telecommunications industry. “But everyone must enter the same regulatory section and subject to the same laws.”