In an era where digital connectivity is synonymous with economic growth and national security, the debate over Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service has taken centre stage in South Africa.
While Starlink promises to bridge the digital divide, particularly in underserved rural areas, its potential entry into the South African market raises significant concerns about national security, economic sovereignty, and the integrity of the country’s transformation agenda.
Starlink’s controversial entry into South Africa
Starlink, a low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX, has already launched in several African countries, including Botswana, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Zambia.
However, its rollout in South Africa has been delayed, primarily due to regulatory hurdles. The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) requires that major players, including multinationals, allocate at least 30% equity to black ownership—a condition Starlink has yet to meet, or rather one Elon Musk uninterested in fulfilling.
Tebogo Khaas, chairman of Public Interest SA, highlights the troubling paradox: while Elon Musk champions unfettered capitalism, his American counterparts advocate strict measures to protect national interests. “If the US can justify prioritizing its national interests, why should South Africa be expected to compromise its transformation agenda for the convenience of a billionaire tech mogul?” Khaas asks (as quoted in a recent article by ITWeb).
National security concerns
Starlink’s potential to undermine South Africa’s national security cannot be overstated. As a privately owned foreign technology, Starlink could be used to control, manipulate, and exploit South Africa’s digital infrastructure.
- Military Espionage and Foreign Surveillance:
Starlink has reportedly been used in military operations, including the Russia-Ukraine war, to coordinate drone strikes. The US military has contracts with SpaceX, raising fears that Starlink could be leveraged for foreign intelligence gathering on South Africa’s government, military, and businesses. - Elon Musk’s Unchecked Control:
Musk has demonstrated authoritarian tendencies, banning critics from his platform X (formerly Twitter). If South African businesses, government institutions, and media outlets rely on Starlink, Musk could restrict access or censor content at his discretion. - Cybersecurity Threats:
Cybersecurity experts warn that Starlink satellites are vulnerable to hacking, malware attacks, and espionage. A breach could compromise South Africa’s entire digital infrastructure, exposing sensitive data to foreign actors.
Transformation agenda at stake
South Africa’s Broad-Based Black Economic (B-BBEE)) regulations, designed to address racial disparities stemming from apartheid, have further complicated Starlink’s entry. Allowing Starlink to circumvent these policies, argues Khaas, would not only undermine the transformative goals of B-BBEE but set a dangerous precedent for other sectors.
As such, he urges ICASA to stand firm in upholding the regulatory requirements, saying its role is not merely to rubber-stamp foreign ventures.
“Granting Starlink a special dispensation would compromise the integrity of the regulatory framework and potentially open the floodgates for similar demands from other multinational corporations.”
Regulatory and political challenges
Worst-still, Starlink’s expansion into the country remains even further from realisation, as potential collaborations have been strained by geopolitical tensions. Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s promise to cut South Africa’s funding over a land expropriation law has added another layer of complexity.
The land law, which was signed by Ramaphosa last month, is contentious because it gives the government scope to expropriate land from private parties. In retaliation, With support from Musk, Trump announced Sunday that he would stop financial assistance while the US investigated why South Africa was “confiscating land” from some people, without saying who.
This move not only threatens to halt nearly half a billion dollars in annual assistance, the majority of which supports HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness programs. It also highlights the significant influence Musk – who heads Trump administration’s new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and has long criticised South Africa as being anti-white – yields over US foreign policy.
Economic and digital sovereignty risks
Starlink’s dominance in South Africa’s internet market could undermine local telecom providers, creating a foreign monopoly over the country’s digital economy. Dependence on a foreign-owned internet service means South Africa would have no control over pricing, access, or service stability.
Leon Rolls, president of Progressive Blacks in ICT (PBICT), emphasises – to ITWeb – the need for inclusivity: “We request that as part of the obligation to bridge the digital divide, Starlink must fund the broadband access fund and SA Connect as part of its social development obligation in the space. This will help connect schools and the poor communities that cannot afford connectivity.”
Sharing the same sentiments, Van Zyl Botha, Herotel CEO told MyBroadband it has no concerns about Starlink coming to the country, provided it complies with all the same rules its members must abide by. So has Ispa regulatory advisor Dominic Cull, who says in order for the playing field to be level, Starlink must comply with the Electronic Communications Act, Rica, tax laws, and all other regulations local ISPs are subject to.
Environmental and geopolitical risks
Starlink’s rapid deployment of thousands of satellites contributes to space debris, threatening South Africa’s future satellite projects. Additionally, countries like China and Russia have banned Starlink, citing national security concerns. The European Union has also raised alarms over its potential for foreign interference in elections and governance.
What South Africa must do
- Reject Starlink’s Unregulated Entry:
The government must enforce strict regulations to ensure data security and national sovereignty. - Invest in a National Satellite Internet Alternative:
South Africa should develop its own satellite infrastructure to provide secure and locally controlled internet access. - Strengthen Cybersecurity Laws:
Authorities must implement robust cybersecurity measures to prevent foreign surveillance and hacking. - Promote African Digital Independence:
Collaboration with other African nations to develop a continental digital ecosystem is crucial.
Conclusion
While Starlink offers the promise of high-speed internet, its potential risks to South Africa’s national security, economic sovereignty, and transformation agenda cannot be ignored. The South African government must act decisively to protect its digital future, ensuring that innovation and investment do not come at the expense of the nation’s values and laws.
As the world watches, South Africa must demonstrate that economic progress and social justice can coexist—without compromise.
