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Gayton Backs Starlink – Faces Widespread Criticism
Another Government of National Unity (GNU) minister – Gayton McKenzie – has backed Elon Musk’s Starlink to operate in South Africa, despite the latter’s rejection of transformative legislation.
The Pretoria-born billionaire has been presented with the possibility of his internet satellite service being granted an operating licence, allegedly “side-stepping” Black Economic Empowerment (BEE).
This comes after Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Solly Malatsi gazetted a policy direction on “alternatives” to local shareholding in his department.
Musk initially slammed the legislature as a “racist law”.
GAYTON MCKENZIE BACKS STARLINK TO SA
In a social media post, Gayton McKenzie shared his views on Starlink possibly operating in South Africa.
He posted: “Starlink will give greater and cheaper access in a country with the most expensive data prices. I’m glad that Starlink is coming; we should make it happen faster. I support it wholeheartedly. Internet connectivity is also much cheaper in the rest of the world, but expensive in South Africa”.
Your ideology is more important than the very people you claim to serve, Starlink will give greater and cheaper access in a country with the most expensive data prices. I’m glad that Starlink is coming, we should make it happen faster. I support it wholeheartedly.
— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) May 23, 2025
In the comments section, thousands condemned the outspoken minister for flip-flopping on transformation in South Africa for Elon Musk’s Starlink.
@mabasotf: “A whole minister saying we must compromise our laws for a multinational cooperation”.
@Thamzin_b: “I think the point is not about wanting them or not. But they should conform to the laws of the land. If Musk wants to make money here, South Africans must benefit from it too.”,
@nyebe_official: “To do business in a country he lies about it – claiming genocide. This is wrong and should be condemned”.
@BedworthTimes: “And in exchange, Elon Musk gets backdoor control over our national comms infrastructure — including military communication. But hey, cheap data, right?”
MORE WHO SUPPORT THE INTERNET SATELLITE SERVICE
Gayton McKenzie is not the only high-profile politician who supports Starlink. Others include:
- Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Solly Malatsi
- Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber
- Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen
- Billionaire businessman Johann Rupert
- Former DA leader Tony Leon
UNCONSTITUTIONAL?
Meanwhile, former DA member Phumzile van Damme has called for the halting of any plans to grant Starlink an operating licence in South Africa.
She posted in an X thread: “The process currently unfolding is procedurally flawed & unconstitutional”
“Why? Because the ICT Sector Code sets out a specific process for amendment, and it’s not by Ministerial directive. The law must be followed. Rule of Law”.
I get the sense that most think the policy directive alone will exempt Starlink. No. Not by a stretch. The process currently unfolding is procedurally flawed & unconstitutional. A long thread about the law, legal principles, and why it needs to be halted & corrected.????????
— Phumzile Van Damme (@zilevandamme) May 24, 2025
DO YOU THINK STARLINK SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO OPERATE IN SA, WITHOUT FOLLOWING BEE LAWS?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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