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Ramaphosa Rejects Claims of Secret Starlink Deal After Trump Visit

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3 months ago

May 27, 2025

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has firmly denied that Starlink was discussed during his recent high-level meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington, brushing off claims of a secret agreement to ease the company’s entry into the South African market.

This comes in the wake of growing scrutiny over a proposed policy change that could clear regulatory hurdles for Elon Musk’s Starlink to legally operate in South Africa—without meeting the current 30% Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) ownership requirement.

Speaking at an infrastructure summit in Cape Town, Ramaphosa made it clear that no such deal was struck during the US trip.

“It never even came up in our discussions with President Trump, despite Elon Musk being part of the US delegation,” the president told reporters.

According to Ramaphosa, South Africa’s engagement with satellite internet providers has been ongoing for years and involves a broad range of global companies—including those from China, Europe, Russia, and local firms.

“We want to create a balanced, fair investment environment. Too often, focus falls on a single company, while several others are equally ready to invest in this space,” he said.

The draft policy, released shortly after the president’s return, would allow communications regulator ICASA to offer more flexible compliance options—such as equity equivalents—for international tech firms. This could pave the way for satellite internet providers like Starlink to operate without ceding direct equity to local partners.

Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, has defended the proposed change as a step toward inclusive digital access, while maintaining that the process will involve public consultation and transparency.

“This is not about making decisions behind closed doors. The democratic process will guide the final outcome,” said Ramaphosa.

Political Backlash Builds

Not everyone is convinced.

Opposition party Build One South Africa (BOSA) has slammed the move, suggesting that the government is bending over backwards to accommodate a wealthy foreign billionaire.

“If you’re Elon Musk, you get a pass. But local businesses still have to jump through hoops,” said BOSA deputy leader Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster. “That’s not transformation—it’s surrender.”

She added that South Africa should use this opportunity to rethink how redress is done—cutting compliance burdens and genuinely opening up the market to local entrepreneurs.

Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) are calling the draft policy a “betrayal” and a calculated effort by the Government of National Unity (GNU) to erode transformation policies in favour of foreign influence.

“Starlink is being rewarded after corporate bullying and disinformation campaigns that undermine our sovereignty,” said EFF spokesperson Thembi Msane. “This is a dangerous precedent.”

While no final decision has been made, the debate around Starlink’s possible entry into South Africa is heating up. For Ramaphosa, the focus remains on modernising infrastructure and expanding access to fast, affordable internet—without compromising the country’s transformation goals.

As public input is gathered and parliamentary debate continues, South Africans will be watching closely to see whether innovation and inclusion can walk hand in hand—or whether powerful global players get a free ride.