ICASA's decision to allocate further WiMax spectrum only to companies with 51% black ownership has backfired, as the regulator realised too late that most of the country's additional spectrum could soon be in the hands of Chinese restaurant owners.
Days after ICASA published its new regulations for auctioning spectrum did government declare South African Chinese people black.
"Well, perhaps this has been an unforeseen twist," said an ICASA spokesman. "The idea has always been to liberalise the telecoms sector and create competition, but this takes competition to a far higher level."
ICASA now has to consider Chinese takeaways and restaurants, which all qualify for WiMax spectrum, as they are now effectively 100% black-owned businesses.
A spokesman for the new Chinese black South African community, Yao Ming-Mofokeng, believes the government's racial reclassification decision is fair and should not cause concern among the local business community.
"We were also part of the struggle, and we deserve the credentials. We too have the right to sell flied lice with WiMax. Only two dollar," said Ming-Mofokeng. "We will also be serving most of our dishes with putu pap from now on."
Ming-Mofokeng could not say whether local black-Chinese people would be prepared to kill for Jacob Zuma.
Martin Czernowalow, news editor, ITWeb
He further dismissed suggestions that a new local theatre production "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Panga", should be seen as an incitement to violence. "It is merely a musical based on the life of Mahatma Ghandi - who we are trying to get reclassified as black-Indian-Chinese."
But Ming-Mofokeng could not say whether local black-Chinese people would be prepared to kill for Jacob Zuma.
"That is difficult to say. A week ago, I would have said definitely not, but since our new status, perhaps we will have to rise up behind the ANC Youth League and embrace the spirit of Ubuntu."
He did, however, confirm that the new black-Chinese community has approached Tokyo Sexwale to be its official representative.
"Tokyo is a pioneer in the racial reclassification game. Years ago, before anyone else even thought of it, Tokyo reclassified himself as a Japanese-black-South African. That is the type of man we could unite behind."
Meanwhile, a spokesman for a leading telecoms company expressed concern that local businesses may not be able to compete fairly against the black-Chinese for WiMax spectrum.
"Yes, we are worried. These guys are very sharp. Before long, WiMax spectrum could be resold at flea-markets, alongside cheap imported radios and stuffed animals.
"This also means a whole new approach to life. I can no longer just say: 'WiMax - yeah, right! And I'm a Chinese acrobat.' For all I know, I could become one, depending on government's next decision."
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