Good day Minister Malatsi,

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to inquire about the latest developments regarding the introduction of Starlink's satellite internet services in South Africa. Public discussions between President Cyril Ramaphosa and Mr. Elon Musk have piqued considerable interest, yet details remain sparse.

Could you kindly provide a clearer timeframe and outline the strategic plans for making Starlink services available in our country? Additionally, the broader community is eager to understand the progress in adapting Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) regulations that might currently pose barriers to Starlink's entry into the South African market. An update on this critical issue would be greatly appreciated, as it is crucial for keeping the public informed.

The potential introduction of Starlink offers significant benefits, particularly for our most impoverished communities. By providing high-speed, reliable internet access, we can:

Enhance educational opportunities by connecting students and educators to vast online resources and e-learning platforms.
Improve healthcare delivery through telemedicine, allowing for remote diagnostics and treatment, which is vital in underserved areas.
Boost economic growth by enabling small businesses and entrepreneurs to access new markets and digital tools.
Increase job creation in the technology and customer service sectors, directly and indirectly associated with the operations and maintenance of satellite internet services.
The successful deployment of Starlink could be a transformative step towards bridging the digital divide in our country, contributing to educational, economic, and social upliftment.

I look forward to your response and insights into how the government plans to facilitate this important advancement, and what timelines we might expect. Keeping the citizens informed on these developments is essential for fostering a transparent and inclusive approach to national digital infrastructure enhancement.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Kind regards,