PODCAST | The Lead: Can Starlink stake its claim in South Africa? With Carol Paton

A Niger man installs his Starlink dish in January 2025.

Boureima Hama/AFP | Overlay Graphic: Sharlene Rood,Graeme Raubenheimer/News24

Lesotho has granted Elon Musk’s satellite internet streaming service,Starlink,a decade-long licence to operate there.

How did Lesotho get Starlink before South Africa? Specialist journalist Carol Paton explains in The Lead that the real reasons behind this are rather complex,as many local regulatory hurdles have to be cleared first.

Communications Minister Solly Malatsi is arduously exploring a possible policy alternative for Starlink to meet local employment equity requirements,despite significant opposition over Musk’s past remarks regarding B-BBEE.

Still,Musk’s company wants South Africa to host its regional grounding stations,which may prove to be a potential trump card.

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Later in the show,some ex-Transnet bosses,two of whom are current members of Parliament,are hauled before court. Lastly,the health department refers to those responsible for a viral deepfake video using Dr Salim Abdool Karim’s likeness as “charlatans” who are peddling fake heart medicine.

You can send a short voice note with your questions or thoughts on this episode to our official The Lead WhatsApp line,that’s: +27 72 562 3179. Mail your comments to [email protected]. Editions drop Monday through Thursday at 19:00 on Spotify,Apple and YouTube.

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