Musk Row Shows Gap With Ramaphosa in South Africa Equity Rules

President Cyril Ramaphosa said billionaire Elon Musk could use equity-equivalence programs to meet South Africa’s racial-equity rules and roll out his Starlink internet service locally, pointing to US firms that comply through alternative investments rather than ownership.

Mines and telecommunications operators such as Musk’s Starlink are, however, subject to licensing regulations that require 30% ownership by Black citizens, limiting the use of such alternatives.