Communications Dept: Gazetting of draft policy in ICT sector has nothing to do with Starlink
JOHANNESBURG - The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies said that Friday's gazetting of a draft policy in the ICT sector has nothing to do with international satellite company, Starlink.
Minister Solly Malatsi issued the draft policy direction for public comment on Friday.
ALSO READ:
• Companies who benefit from easing of BEE requirements need to invest in equity equivalent - Communications Dept
• Communications Dept issues gazette to review B-BBEE licensing requirements for satellite service companies
If passed, this will allow companies in the ICT sector, like Elon Musk's satellite internet company, Starlink, to operate without complying with a 30% black ownership requirement.
The draft policy direction by Malatsi follows remarks by Musk that he had been denied a license to operate in South Africa because he was not black.
If the proposed policy passes, the way would be paved for the company to operate in South Africa without being 30% black-owned.
But the department's spokesperson, Kwena Moloto, denied that this move had anything to do with Starlink or this week's meeting between presidents Donald Trump and Cyril Ramaphosa, where Musk was present.
With the public invited to make comments on the draft policy direction, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said that it would challenge the proposal in Parliament.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
Transformation is non-negotiable: Ramaphosa defends BEE as an engine of growth
President Cyril Ramaphosa has defended BEE as an engine of growth. Image: GCIS President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered a forceful defence of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) on Friday night, calling out its critics and questioning whether their opposition stems from fear or envy. Speaking at the Black Business Council's annual summit gala dinner at the Radisson Hotel and Convention Centre in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, Ramaphosa doubled down on the government's unwavering support for transformation policies aimed at redressing South Africa's deep-rooted inequalities. He reaffirmed plans to convene a national dialogue focused on tackling the country's most urgent socio-economic challenges — a process he said will be vital in shaping an inclusive and sustainable future. Ramaphosa argued that real economic growth will only be possible through meaningful transformation while highlighting the significance of the proposed Government of National Unity (GNU). 'Fundamental economic transformation is vital to the growth of our economy and the progress of our nation. This transformation is necessary if we are to unlock the capabilities of all our people and realise the full potential of our economy,' he said. He positioned the GNU as a platform for uniting stakeholders behind bold reforms that can drive change. 'Transformation is not a hindrance to growth — it is the engine of growth,' Ramaphosa said, underscoring the role of legislative tools such as the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) framework and the Employment Equity Act in building a more equitable economy. 'We must dispense with the false choice that we are urged to make between growth and transformation. Transformation is vital if growth is to be meaningful, inclusive and sustainable. 'Growth is essential if we are to effectively transform our economy. Our task is to ensure that we pursue both growth and transformation, in concert, with more vigour and to greater effect,' he said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ While acknowledging progress, the president was candid about the stark racial disparities that persist. He noted that the average income of white households remains nearly five times higher than that of black African households — a gap that, in his view, underscores the continued need for aggressive policy intervention. 'We need to challenge the notion that black economic empowerment is a cost to the economy. We need to demonstrate that it is an investment in the economy. 'Now is not the time to abandon the measures we have put in place to drive is the time to move forward with greater purpose and ambition. 'We must use the lessons we have learned over the last 30 years to make our empowerment policies and programmes more meaningful and more impactful. 'They must be ever more effective drivers of inclusive growth and employment,' Ramaphosa said. IOL Politics
The South African
5 hours ago
- The South African
Donald Trump threatens Elon Musk with 'serious consequences'
US President Donald Trump threatened his former advisor Elon Musk with 'serious consequences' on Saturday if the tech billionaire seeks to punish Republicans who vote for a controversial spending bill. The comments by Trump to NBC News come after the relationship between the world's most powerful person and the world's richest imploded in bitter and spectacular fashion this week. The blistering break-up – largely carried out on social media before a riveted public on Thursday – was ignited by Musk's harsh criticism of Trump's so-called 'big, beautiful' spending bill, which is currently before Congress. Some lawmakers who were against the bill had called on Musk – one of the Republican Party's biggest financial backers in last year's presidential election – to fund primary challenges against Republicans who voted for the legislation. 'He'll have to pay very serious consequences if he does that,' Trump, who also branded Musk 'disrespectful,' told NBC News on Saturday, without specifying what those consequences would be. He also said he had 'no' desire to repair his relationship with the South Africa-born Tesla and SpaceX chief, and that he has 'no intention of speaking to him.' Just last week, Trump gave Musk a glowing send-off as he left his cost-cutting role at the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). But their relationship cracked within days as Elon Musk described as an 'abomination' the spending bill that, if passed by Congress, could define Trump's second term in office. Trump hit back in an Oval Office diatribe and from, there the row detonated, leaving Washington stunned. With real political and economic risks to their falling out, both had appeared to inch back from the brink on Friday, with Trump telling reporters 'I just wish him well,' and Musk responding on X: 'Likewise.' Trump spoke to NBC on Saturday after Musk deleted one of the explosive allegations he had made during their fallout, linking the president with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Musk had alleged that the Republican leader is featured in unreleased government files on former associates of Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while he faced sex trafficking charges. The Trump administration has acknowledged it is reviewing tens of thousands of documents, videos and investigative material that his 'MAGA' movement says will unmask public figures complicit in Epstein's crimes. Trump was named in a trove of deposition and statements linked to Epstein that were unsealed by a New York judge in early 2024. The president has not been accused of any wrongdoing in the case. 'Time to drop the really big bomb: (Trump) is in the Epstein files,' Musk posted on his social media platform, X. 'That is the real reason they have not been made public.' Elon Musk did not reveal which files he was talking about and offered no evidence for his claim. He initially doubled down on the claim, writing in a follow-up message: 'Mark this post for the future. The truth will come out.' However, he appeared to have deleted both tweets by Saturday morning. Trump dismissed the claim as 'old news' in his comments to NBC on Saturday, adding: 'Even Epstein's lawyer said I had nothing to do with it.' Supporters on the conspiratorial end of Trump's 'Make America Great Again' base allege that Epstein's associates had their roles in his crimes covered up by government officials and others. They point the finger at Democrats and Hollywood celebrities, although not at Trump himself. No official source has ever confirmed that the president appears in any of the as yet unreleased material. Trump knew and socialised with Epstein but has denied spending time on Little Saint James, the private redoubt in the US Virgin Islands where prosecutors alleged Epstein trafficked underage girls for sex. 'Terrific guy,' Trump, who was Epstein's neighbour in both Florida and New York, said in an early 2000s profile of the financier. 'He's a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news. By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse
The South African
6 hours ago
- The South African
Musk deletes X posts accusing Trump of Epstein ties
Billionaire Elon Musk deleted several X posts linking former US President Donald Trump to Jeffrey Epstein, just days after criticising him over a congressional bill. On Thursday 5 June, Musk posted without providing evidence that the US Department of Justice had not released Epstein's files because they allegedly implicated Trump. 'Time to drop the really big bomb: @realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files,' Musk wrote. 'That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!' Musk deleted that post, along with others repeating the claim. The link now shows the message: 'Nothing to see here.' In another now-deleted post from Friday night, Musk said he would apologise to Trump 'as soon as there is a full dump of the Epstein files.' He also deleted a repost in which an X user called for Trump's impeachment and suggested replacing him with Vice President JD Vance. Musk had responded 'Yes' to the suggestion, appearing to endorse it. It remains unclear when the deleted posts were removed. As of today Musk has not retracted the accusations publicly, nor provided evidence to support them. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
