South Africa's Black Economic Empowerment laws require telecommunications companies to have at least 30% local Black ownership, which has prevented Starlink from launching in the country.

Starlink has offered to invest 500 million South African Rand to connect rural schools with high-speed internet as an alternative to meeting local ownership requirements.

A political split exists within South Africa's government over changing ownership laws for companies like Starlink, with Minister Soleim Latsi of the DA supporting alternatives while Deputy Minister M...