The AI policy is structured around six main pillars.
Cabinet has approved the publication of the draft South African artificial intelligence (AI) policy for public comment.
Minister of the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavweni made the announcement at a media briefing on Thursday, April 2.
AI policy
Ntshavweni said AI policy aims to ensure that the benefits and risks of AI are fairly distributed across society and generations.
“The AI policy aims to strengthen the government's ability to responsibly regulate and adopt AI while stimulating local innovation, supporting job creation, and improving access to AI skills.”
According to Ntshavweni, the policy is structured around six main pillars that aim to promote the responsible development and ethical deployment of AI.
root column
These main pillars include:
- Capacity and Talent Development
- AI for inclusive growth and job creation
- responsible governance
- Ethical and Inclusive AI
- Cultural preservation and international integration
- human-centered deployment
“The policy recognizes that a phased approach should be taken, as AI deployment and risk profiles vary across regions,” Ntshaveni said.
Also read: Malatsi says AI could be a game changer for South Africa
regulation
The regulation of AI was first mentioned by Solly Malatsi, Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies In November 2022, he said that there must be a balance to the ethical use of AI in South Africa.
talking to citizen Speaking at the Africa Tech Festival in Cape Town, Malatsi said that although artificial intelligence is largely unregulated in the country, that could change.
Malatsi said, “Most importantly, we must find a balance for the ethical use of AI, so that it does not contribute to deep fraud, the spread of misinformation and disinformation. The world's leading policymakers are grappling with this question, and we will grapple with it too as we move toward finalizing our AI policy.”
Existing law regulates certain activities. These also include activities by organizations that use AI Personal Information Protection Act (POPIA).), Copyright Act, Patent Act and Competition Act.
Electronic Communications Act
Meanwhile, the Cabinet also approved the introduction of the Electronic Communications Act (ECA) Bill in Parliament.
Ntshaveni said the bill aims to amend the Electronic Communications Act 2005.
“The proposed amendments are aimed at enhancing the level of competition in the telecom sector and reducing prices.
“The amendments to the Electronic Communications Act are intended to create an enabling environment for investment with a key focus on reducing regulatory barriers to entry to improve competition as well as allow the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa the flexibility to regulate the sector,” Ntshaveni said.
Elon Musk and Starlink
One of the people who could benefit from the amendments to the ECA Act is Elon Musk and its Starlink internet service.
Talks to launch Starlink in South Africa stalled in early 2025 after Musk and US President Donald Trump stepped up public rhetoric against policies such as BEE laws, which mandate that foreign-owned telecommunications companies allocate at least 30% of local equity to historically disadvantaged groups, primarily black South Africans.
Musk, who was born in South Africa, previously claimed that Starlink was blocked from operating in South Africa because he's not blackSouth African officials denied this allegation.
policy direction
In May, Solly Malatsi, Minister of Communications and Digital Technology Published a policy direction to provide options, paving the way for Starlink satellite internet service in the country.
Malatsi issued the directive two days after President Cyril Ramaphosa met US President Donald Trump in Washington to “reset” relations strained following false claims of “white genocide” and attacks on African farmers in South Africa – claims also repeated by Musk, who attended the meeting in the Oval Office of the White House.
ECA 'old'
Ntshaveni said the ECA, in its current form, was outdated.
“It has been overtaken by developments. Developments in the technology sector, including the advent of AI and other innovations, require a separate regulatory framework. The Department of Communications is making amendments in a specific chapter as the process needs to be completed chapter by chapter.
“If you attempt a wholesale amendment of the ECA, you are likely to encounter problems, as some amendments will be heavily debated or contested, potentially leading to complications. The purpose of the ECA amendment is to improve South Africa's legislative and regulatory framework for the sector, in line with the progress recorded in the ICT sector. In fact, we no longer talk about ICT; we now refer to digital transformation. Therefore, the regulatory environment must evolve to meet these needs, ” he said.
Honey bee
While Musk claims Starlink was barred from operating in South Africa because he is not black, Ntshavweni said in South Africa, “BEE is non-negotiable.”
“We will work to improve its efficiency and application, but the transformation and empowerment of black South Africans to achieve economic inclusivity cannot be compromised. There is no department in this country that will weaken any BEE provisions or transformation goals.
“There will be no adjustments made to individual businesses at the expense of South Africa's interests. At the same time, there is a need to ensure uniformity in the application of the rules across the country for all investors and players, without any special exceptions. I do not want to talk about any particular company, but it should be clear that, as a country and a government, we do not hold exclusive rights to any one entity,” Ntshaveni said.
starlink
Despite being operational in neighboring countries, Starlink is unavailable in South Africa.
Starlink operates thousands of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to provide high-speed Internet globally.
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