SpaceX's Starlink brings internet access to Kenya, while ANC's race policy hinders connectivity for South Africans
21 July 2023
Recently, SpaceX CEO, Elon Musk, announced that Kenya is the next African country to gain access to Starlink, the satellite-based internet provider, showcasing a significant leap in connectivity for Kenyan residents. With faster download and upload speeds, increased competition, and lower costs, Kenyans can now enjoy greater digital access.
While other African nations such as Algeria, Ghana, Nigeria, Mauritania, Mozambique, and Rwanda have embraced internet accessibility for all citizens, concerns have arisen regarding the ANC's reluctance to update outdated legislation and regulations in South Africa. These regulations would require SpaceX, the parent company of Starlink, to cede 30% of its equity to ANC-connected individuals to obtain the bandwidth license.
Undeniably, there is a need to empower previously disadvantaged individuals, but the ANC's BBBEE policies have proven ineffective, resulting in disproportionate obscene wealth accumulating to a select few ANC-connected individuals.
Despite a previous plea to the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies to amend regulations for international entities, like SpaceX, to provide fast, reliable, and affordable internet to rural areas, the ANC refused to consider the proposal on a case-by-case basis. This refusal denies South Africans the opportunity to fully participate in the digital era, ultimately affecting the most economically vulnerable communities.