Elon Musk on Friday claimed that his satellite internet company Starlink could not operate in South Africa because he was “not black.”
SpaceX, the parent company of satellite services, is banned from entering the South African market due to the country’s widespread Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE). Rulesaims to “strengthen the economic participation of black people in the South African economy.” Musk’s remarks responded to a clip featuring South African entrepreneur Robert Hersov, and discussed anti-white racial policies imposed by the country’s government.
“Sterlink is not permitted to operate in South Africa because I am not black,” Musk was born in South Africa before moving to Canada and later to the US. post x. (Related: Trump summons the cabinet to tell him what Elon Musk actually does)
Clayson Moniera, head of public diplomacy at South Africa’s Ministry of International Relations, denied the claim in X’s response.
“Sir, that’s not true, and you know that! It has nothing to do with your skin color,” he said. “StarLink can be open [South African flag emoji] If it complies with local laws. This is a principle of global international trade and investment. Over 600 US companies invest and operate #Southafrica. @Microsoft announced additional investments yesterday. ”
Sir, that’s not true, and you know it! It has nothing to do with your skin color. Starlink can operate at 🇿🇦 if it is in compliance with local laws. This is a principle of global international trade and investment. Over 600 US companies invest and operate… https://t.co/ablse8tnn3
– Clayson Monyela (@claysonmonyela) March 7, 2025
The laws of South Africa (ECA) In 2005, the company regulates companies that build or operate domestic telecommunications infrastructure, so businesses cannot obtain operational licenses unless they comply with the 30% minimum share ownership requirement by “historically disadvantaged groups.”
SpaceX urged South Africa’s Independent Communications Agency (ICASA) to reconsider rules requiring 30% minority ownership, TechCentral It has been reported January.
The conflict comes amid growing tensions between South Africa and the United States. President Donald Trump announced Friday that the United States will suspend all federal funds to the country. Trump directly cited the mandatory land seizure of property belonging to rural Boer farmers, the ruling South African Party, the African National Congress (ANC), as the reason for the funding freeze.
“South Africa is terrible for longtime farmers in the country. They have confiscated land and farms, and it’s far worse than that. It’s a bad place right now and we’re stopping all federal funds,” the president wrote.
In recent years, several white farmers in South Africa have been killed, and the Transvaal Agricultural Union, a farmer’s coalition Estimated Between 2015 and 2017, between 58 and 74 farmers were killed in politically motivated attacks. Shaik Emam, a member of the South African Parliament, described the attack as “not a normal crime” and “very violent and often accompanied by brutal torture in the most wilderness.” Discussion.
The president also provided a “rapid route” to citizenship for South African farmers leaving the country. Musk announcement The StarLink partnership with United Airlines officially implemented on Friday on the airline’s system.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation is an independent, nonpartisan newswire service that is free to use for legitimate news publishers that can provide large audiences. All republished articles must include logos, reporter signatures and DCNF affiliation. For questions regarding our guidelines or partnerships with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
