South Africa is tweaking its black ownership rules after the telecom minister decided satellite internet companies like Starlink need an easier path to set up shop. The government used to force foreign communications firms to hand over 30 percent equity stakes in their local operations to historically disadvantaged groups, but Communications Minister Solly Malatsi just greenlit a workaround where companies can invest in digital infrastructure instead of selling actual shares.
SpaceX basically told regulators the old equity requirement was killing their vibe and blocking them from entering the market. Critics got loud when Malatsi first floated these changes, saying he was bending over backward for foreign corporations, but apparently 90 percent of public feedback backed the new policy. The minister insists this levels the playing field without gutting transformation goals and should help rural areas finally get decent internet access.
SpaceX basically told regulators the old equity requirement was killing their vibe and blocking them from entering the market. Critics got loud when Malatsi first floated these changes, saying he was bending over backward for foreign corporations, but apparently 90 percent of public feedback backed the new policy. The minister insists this levels the playing field without gutting transformation goals and should help rural areas finally get decent internet access.
