South African-born billionaire and CEO of SpaceX Elon Musk expressed his pleasure after holding talks with President Cyril Ramaphosa in New York.
Key highlights:
- Elon Musk and President Ramaphosa met behind closed doors in New York.
- Discussions included potential Starlink satellite internet expansion in South Africa.
- Regulatory challenges remain, but the meeting indicates progress.
Elon Musk ‘pleased’ to hold talks with Cyril Ramaphosa
The meeting took place during President Ramaphosa’s visit to New York for the 79th Session of the United Nations General Debate and High-Level Week.
According to national broadcaster SABC, Musk expressed that he was “pleased” with the discussion, while President Ramaphosa described the meeting as “positive,” indicating mutual respect and optimism.
“We had a good meeting,” said President Ramaphosa while shaking hands with Musk in a video clip shared by SABC.
During his time in New York, President Ramaphosa led discussions at various forums, including the SA-US Interactive Business Forum at the New York Stock Exchange, aiming to attract foreign investment into South Africa.
Engaging with Musk, known for his key roles in companies like Tesla and SpaceX, is seen as a strategic move to explore high-tech investment opportunities in South Africa.
Here’s what this means for Starlink in South Africa
One of the critical points of interest regarding the meeting was whether it would pave the way for the much-anticipated launch of Starlink in South Africa.
Starlink, a high-speed satellite internet service operated by SpaceX, has already rolled out in neighbouring countries such as Botswana, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Zambia.
Despite being the birthplace of Musk, South Africa is yet to see the service made available, with the Starlink coverage map still showing availability as “unknown.”
President Ramaphosa had previously reached out to Musk, urging him to invest in South Africa.
“I have had discussions with him and have said, ‘Elon, you [have] become so successful and you’re investing in a variety of countries, I want you to come home and invest here,’” Ramaphosa told editors earlier this month, according to BusinessDay.
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) confirmed that they have yet to receive a formal application from Starlink to operate in the country.
ICASA chairman Mothibi Ramusi explained that “there are issues in this country when you talk about black empowerment, to an extent that there’s a 30% BEE requirement – it’s a policy,” as stated in his recent interview with ITWeb TV.
Musk has previously mentioned on his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), that Starlink is “waiting for regulatory approval” in South Africa, suggesting that policy hurdles, particularly around the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) requirements, may be a significant factor delaying Starlink’s entry into the market.
Starlink uses a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit to deliver internet connectivity, making it ideal for areas with limited access to high-speed internet.
The service is known for its ability to support streaming, gaming, video calls, and remote work in even the most remote locations. As South Africans continue to experience challenges with internet access and connectivity, the arrival of Starlink in South Africa would be a welcome development.
For now, Starlink enthusiasts in South Africa will have to wait a bit longer as discussions continue between Musk, SpaceX, and South African regulatory authorities. But this recent meeting with President Ramaphosa represents a significant step towards bringing Starlink to the country
