<\/p>\n
President Cyril Ramaphosa has again poured cold water on claims that South Africa proposed relaxing its black empowerment rules solely for Elon Musk\u2019s Starlink, despite the move coming days after his meeting with US President Donald Trump last month.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOur visit to the United States did not focus on issues of Black Economic Empowerment,\u201d Ramaphosa told Parliament on Wednesday afternoon. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt focused on resetting the relationship with the United States and ensuring that we continue open conversations with our major trading partners.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n He was responding to a question from Nicholaas Hendricks Pienaar of the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo.<\/span><\/p>\n Pienaar asked whether the Government of National Unity (GNU) should revise Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) policies to attract more international investment and stimulate economic growth and job creation.<\/span><\/p>\n Ramaphosa reiterated the government’s commitment to economic transformation.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOur commitment to black economic empowerment, as expressed through various policy documents and statements, remains steadfast,\u201d he said. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThrough the Statement of Intent signed by various parties in the GNU, we are committed to translating the values of our Constitution into reality – particularly social justice, redress, and equity.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Last month, News reported that, just days after a high-level meeting at the White House, attended by South African billionaire Johann Rupert and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, the South African government appeared to be easing regulations to facilitate the entry of Starlink, Musk\u2019s satellite internet service.<\/span><\/p>\n The alleged shift in policy has sparked debate over the influence of global business elites on national legislation and whether diplomatic lobbying is steering South Africa\u2019s tech and telecommunications framework.<\/span><\/p>\n Rupert, citing rising crime and economic stagnation, called for Starlink\u2019s launch to be fast-tracked.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe need Starlink in South Africa,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n Meanwhile, Ramaphosa pointed to the Constitution\u2019s Equality Clause as a foundation for transformation policies like BBBEE.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThere are a number of measures that the Equality Clause calls on us to embark on – legislative measures to protect or advance persons disadvantaged by unfair discrimination,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n He emphasised that the BEE Act remains a central lever for inclusive, sustainable growth.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe must dispense with the false notion that we must choose between transformation and growth,\u201d Ramaphosa said.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cBlack economic empowerment is not only compatible with investment and growth – it is essential to achieving broad-based prosperity.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Ramaphosa added that BEE should not be seen as a project for a select few.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt must be a national project. Everyone, including those who benefited under apartheid, must be involved,\u201d he said. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cFailing to do so risks economic stagnation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n In a follow-up question, Pienaar asked Ramaphosa if he would support foreign investments like Starlink without requiring a 30% ownership stake for local partners.<\/span><\/p>\n However, Ramaphosa responded by pointing to the country\u2019s equity-equivalent model, which allows foreign companies that cannot meet direct ownership requirements to instead contribute to transformation initiatives.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cFor offshore-based companies with global ownership structures, we\u2019ve come up with an innovative, equity-equivalent solution,\u201d Ramaphosa said. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThey embark on initiatives that support transformation and get involved in economic development without handing over equity. And many have embraced this approach.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n He added that while South Africa is not unique in requiring local ownership, it may be the only country offering a flexible equity-equivalent system – which many multinational companies have welcomed.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe are not averse to coming up with good solutions, so long as there is commitment to transformation,\u201d Ramaphosa said. \u201cThat, to us, is not negotiable.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n He reiterated the historical rationale for transformation policies.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOur economy was structured for the benefit of a white minority,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThey passed laws to exclude others, even from menial jobs. We are turning the tables. We want all South Africans to benefit, not just a few.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za<\/p>\n Politics<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" President Cyril Ramaphosa has again poured cold water on claims that South Africa proposed relaxing its black empowerment rules solely for Elon Musk\u2019s Starlink, despite the move coming days after his meeting with US President Donald Trump last month. \u201cOur visit to the United States did not focus on issues of Black Economic Empowerment,\u201d Ramaphosa […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[13275,18728,14844,18490,426,4617,16626],"class_list":["post-244303","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-politics","tag-bee","tag-bend","tag-elon","tag-musks","tag-ramaphosa","tag-rules","tag-starlink"],"yoast_head":"\n