President and minister must be praised for Starlink

The ongoing saga around Starlink’s attempted entry into the South African market has been yet another song and dance by our politicians.

It is blatantly obvious that having this kind of satellite technology turned on overnight has the potential to transform our country, which is desperately in need of any economic benefit, but once again, our regulators are pushing their own interests over those of citizens.

It’s been heartening to see that our President and the Communications Minister are using existing legislation to assist foreign satellite internet providers to become licensed to operate in South Africa through equity equivalent programmes.

If Starlink is required to invest locally through equity programmes, changing lives in the process, why not allow them to do business here?

Ramaphosa and Malatsi deserve full public support as this decision heads to ICASA.

Melanie Barr