EXCLUSIVE: The ICASA Scandal that’s Leaving South Africans in the Dark
As the Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) continues to drag its feet on granting a licence to Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service, AfriForum has blown the lid off a shocking racial bias that’s holding back the country’s rural communities.
In a scathing submission to ICASA, AfriForum has called out the telecoms regulator for its "racially discriminatory criteria" that’s blocking Starlink from operating in South Africa. The civil rights organization is demanding that ICASA scrap its strict race-based ownership requirements, which are preventing the service from reaching rural communities that desperately need it.
But ICASA chairperson Mothibi Ramusi is playing dumb, claiming that the regulator is yet to receive a formal application from Starlink. Meanwhile, Starlink has already launched in several neighboring African countries, including Botswana, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Zambia.
The truth is, ICASA is stuck in the dark ages, refusing to adapt to the changing times. By blocking Starlink, the regulator is depriving rural communities of a reliable alternative that could save lives. And all because of its racist policies.
As AfriForum points out, only 15 of the 54 African countries do not have a timeframe for the commissioning of Starlink. South Africa is one of them, and it’s all because of ICASA’s racial bias.
The consequences are dire. Rural communities are left without a reliable means of communication, making them vulnerable to crime and violence. Cellphone towers are prone to weaker or non-existent signal during power outages, leaving people stranded and helpless.
By blocking Starlink, ICASA is not only holding back the country’s rural communities but also falling behind the rest of the world, Africa, and the Southern African region in terms of access to this new technology.
It’s time for ICASA to wake up and smell the coffee. The days of racial bias and discrimination are over. It’s time for the regulator to do its job and grant Starlink a licence to operate in South Africa.
The people of South Africa deserve better. They deserve a reliable internet connection that can save lives. It’s time for ICASA to stop playing games and start serving the people.
