Communications Minister Solly Malatsi has confirmed that he met several satellite internet companies, including SpaceX’s Starlink, as South Africa looks at the role of low-Earth orbit broadband.
In a written reply to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Communications chairperson Khusela Diko, Malatsi said the meetings were aimed at helping him better understand the sector.
He listed MzansiSat, Amazon Leo, China Satellite Network Company, SpaceSail, Space24, Starlink and other stakeholders as groups he had met with about LEO satellite internet.
Why These Meetings Matter
LEO satellite internet is seen as one way to expand broadband access, especially in areas where fibre or mobile networks are limited.
Malatsi said his engagement with these companies forms part of a broader effort to understand how satellite broadband could speed up access to connectivity in South Africa.
MzansiSat was the only South African-based LEO satellite company named by the minister. The company is based in Cape Town and describes itself as a pan-African satellite business offering internet connectivity.
Other companies named include Amazon Leo, formerly known as Project Kuiper, as well as China-linked satellite firms SpaceSail and China Satellite Network Company.
Starlink Meeting Confirmed
Malatsi also confirmed that he met once with Ryan Goodnight, a representative of SpaceX, Starlink’s parent company.
The meeting took place in September 2024 and was attended by Malatsi’s chief of staff. According to the minister, it was arranged directly between his office and Robert Appelbaum.
Malatsi said the Starlink meeting was introductory and formed part of his ongoing talks with LEO satellite providers.
He also stressed that individual licence applications were not discussed during these meetings.
Licensing Questions Still in Focus
Starlink remains one of the most closely watched satellite internet providers in South Africa.
The service is already available in more than 150 countries, including neighbouring Lesotho and Eswatini. However, South Africans are still waiting for clarity on when, or if, the service will officially launch locally.
Malatsi said these meetings were about understanding each company’s capabilities and sharing insight on South Africa’s current regulatory framework.
For now, the talks show that government is engaging major satellite players while the country continues searching for faster ways to connect more communities.
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