Cape Town – Geordin Hill-Lewis, the new leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA), has backed Elon Musk’s Starlink entry into South Africa, arguing that the country should open up its telecoms sector to more competition and rethink its approach to transformation policies like B-BBEE.
Speaking during an interview with Newzroom Afrika, Hill-Lewis said Starlink could significantly improve internet access, and supported the use of equity equivalent investment programmes (EEIPs) instead of strict ownership requirements.
He also said Starlink’s entry would increase competition in the telecoms sector.
“We can have Starlink in South Africa and have better internet access. However, there are very powerful vested interests in the telecommunications industry that don’t want that because it is competition”.
On Elon Musk, Hill-Lewis described him as “outspoken” and “anti-South Africa” but still supported allowing his company to operate locally.
When asked about US President Donald Trump, Hill-Lewis distanced himself from him, saying he is “no fan of MAGA” and calling Trump’s impact on global politics “dangerous” and “reprehensible.”
“I’m no fan of MAGA and no fan of Mr Trump. He has put the world in a very dangerous place and in many ways is quite reprehensible”.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
