Imagine a scenario where the head of state hints at bending rules to welcome a Silicon Valley titan’s satellite service—sparking fierce backlash from those who see it as a threat to national sovereignty.
That’s exactly the uproar the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have stirred after reports emerged that President Cyril Ramaphosa might fast‑track regulatory clearance for Elon Musk’s Starlink ahead of his Washington meeting with Donald Trump.
EFF Sounds the Alarm on Sovereignty
According to Bloomberg, Ramaphosa is considering assurances that would let Starlink launch in South Africa without the usual red tape.
The EFF blasted the move as unconstitutional, arguing that only Parliament—and not the president or his delegation—has the power to change telecom regulations or override Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) requirements.
Those rules mandate that foreign‑owned firms sell 30 percent of their equity to historically disadvantaged South Africans.
Fears of a Backdoor Bypass
Starlink hasn’t even applied for a South African license yet, despite Musk’s public complaints about BEE laws.
The EFF fears that Ramaphosa’s overture is just the start of a broader campaign to appease powerful American interests—potentially at the expense of key transformation laws like the National Health Insurance Act and the Expropriation Act.
Not Against Innovation—But Under Our Rules
The EFF stresses it isn’t anti‑technology. “We welcome global innovation,” they say, “but it must operate within our democratic, legislative framework.”
They warn that unregulated foreign satellites could threaten local internet providers, undermine national security, and sidestep the transformation goals South Africa fought hard to enshrine.
Starlink, Musk, and Sensitive Politics
Elon Musk’s recent claims of a “white genocide” in South Africa have already angered many.
Now, the EFF points out, he’s leveraging those controversies and his ties to Trump allies to push for a special deal—something they vow to challenge “in Parliament, in the courts, and in the streets.”
Their message is clear: sovereignty isn’t a bargaining chip for billionaires.
Ramaphosa’s Response and Next Steps
President Ramaphosa has pushed back, reminding everyone that South Africa remains a proud, sovereign nation that always puts its people first.
Whether any regulatory shortcuts actually happen will depend on the fierce political debate ahead—one where issues of innovation, sovereignty, and social justice all collide.