Cape Town – Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie faced backlash after publicly supporting a policy to ease B-BBEE requirements for licensing satellite communication services like Elon Musk’s Starlink.
McKenzie argued that the move would help reduce South Africa’s high data costs and improve internet access.
“Your ideology is more important than the very people you claim to serve. Starlink will give greater and cheaper access in a country with the most expensive data prices,” the minister wrote on X.
“I’m glad that Starlink is coming. We should make it happen faster. I support it wholeheartedly.”
His remarks followed a gazetted policy direction from Communications Minister Solly Malatsi regarding Equity Equivalent Investment Programmes (EEIPs) in the ICT sector.
Minister Solly Malatši has issued a policy direction for @ICASA_org to urgently issue regulations allowing equity-equivalent measures to be considered for broadband companies seeking regulatory approval.
AKA: Starlink policy ? pic.twitter.com/Qn25ehKh1B
— Mbekezeli (@MbekezeliMB) May 23, 2025
However, McKenzie’s endorsement drew criticism on social media, with users accusing him of neglecting his ministerial promises and questioning the affordability and motives behind Starlink.
Critics labelled him a “sellout” and demanded accountability for his unfulfilled commitments in sports and the arts.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
