WATCH: Starlink not debated with Trump, Ramaphosa says

While South African-born Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service was not debated with US President Donald Trump during their working lunch at the White House, the government wants to create an “environment for investment” in the country, President Cyril Ramaphosa says.

Ramaphosa met Trump on Wednesday. He was joined by four ministers, renowned businessman Johann Rupert and golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen.

Rupert talks Starlink

It was Rupert who first brought up Starlink during the open bilateral talks with Musk standing among the media in the Oval Office.

Rupert also addressed Trump during the meeting, calling for US support in tackling crime, putting paid to the “white genocide” narrative Trump seems to believe.

Rupert told Trump that crime is a “South African problem” and occurs everywhere.

“We have too many deaths, but it’s across the board. It’s not only white farmers. We need technological help. We need Starlink at every police station.”

WATCH Cyril Ramaphosa speaking about Starlink in South Africa

[WATCH] President Cyril Ramaphosa says Starlink was not debated during a meeting with President Donald Trump.#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/W7ofMGGMI8

— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) May 21, 2025

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Starlink not discussed

However, Ramaphosa said Starlink was not discussed with Trump behind closed doors.

“The Starlink issue, was it part of our discussions? No. What we are able to do – and this is part of the offer that we are talking about – is create an environment for investments to take place.

“What do we want? We want US companies to come and invest in South Africa. That is the real deal for us,” Ramaphosa said.

“We want foreign direct investment, and to do that we’ve got to create a conducive environment for foreign direct investment.

“For instance, in the past, we’ve been able to do so and attract US companies and utilise regulatory frameworks such as, instead of BEE compliance, you could have equity equivalents, and companies have embraced that.

“That shows that they are willing to go along with our regulatory framework, which we have crafted to attract investors to South Africa,” Ramaphosa said.

Bringing Starlink to SA

This week, The Citizen reported that government planned to offer a workaround to local black ownership laws so that Starlink can operate in the country.

The offer came at a last-minute meeting between Musk or his representatives and a delegation of South African officials travelling with Ramaphosa, according to three people familiar with the discussions.

Talks on launching Starlink in South Africa stalled earlier this year after Musk and Trump ramped up public rhetoric against policies such as BEE laws, which mandate that foreign-owned telecoms companies allocate at least 30% of local equity to historically disadvantaged groups, primarily black South Africans.

Musk, who is South African-born, previously claimed Starlink was barred from operating in South Africa because he is not black, an allegation South African officials refuted.

What is Starlink?

With its wide coverage and increasing affordability, Starlink presents a chance to close the connectivity gap in rural areas while also appealing to urban users.

Starlink operates thousands of low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites to provide high-speed internet globally. With 4.6 million customers globally, the service targets expansion in underserved markets, such as Africa, to drive its growth.

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