A dispute has erupted on X between Elon Musk and South African officials.
Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has asserted that Starlink, his satellite internet service, is barred from operating in South Africa because he is “not black.” South African authorities refuted this claim, stating that Musk’s race is not the reason.
Musk’s comments on Friday were prompted by a podcast featuring South African businessman Rob Hersov. Hersov claimed that South Africa’s “race-based laws…are all anti-white” and that the country is “infected… with an evil woke mind virus.”
Musk responded on X by stating, “Starlink is not allowed to operate in South Africa, because I’m not black.”
South African government spokesman Clayson Monyela countered Musk’s claims, tweeting, “Sir, that’s NOT true and you know it! It’s got nothing to do with your skin color.” Monyela added that Starlink is welcome to operate in South Africa “provided there’s compliance with local laws.”
South African laws intended to correct racial imbalances from the Apartheid era require foreign telecommunications companies to have at least 30% ownership by “persons from historically disadvantaged groups.” Starlink, a SpaceX subsidiary, does not have publicly traded shares.
Last year, Starlink’s parent company informed the South African telecommunications regulator ICASA that the 30% shareholding requirement represented a “significant barrier” to investment.
Last month, former US President Donald Trump threatened to cut off aid to South Africa, citing the country’s relationship with Iran, its lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice, and concerns over land reform. Trump described the land reform as a violation of human rights.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has denied any human rights abuses were being condoned by his government. “We will not be bullied,” he stated in February. Ramaphosa met with Musk last month, where they discussed “issues of misinformation and distortions about South Africa,” according to the president’s office.
The South African government maintains that the Expropriation Act is designed to address inequalities in land ownership, where white farmers still own the majority of land, despite comprising approximately 7% of the population. The government aims to transfer 30% of farmland to black farmers by 2030.