South Africa has dismissed claims by billionaire Elon Musk that his Starlink satellite internet service cannot operate in the country due to his race. Musk, who was born and raised in South Africa, alleged on his social media platform X that Starlink was barred from operating because he is “not black.”
However, Clayson Monyela, a senior official in South Africa’s foreign affairs department, refuted Musk’s statement, saying it was false and that Starlink was welcome to operate in the country as long as it complied with local laws. “Sir, that’s NOT true & you know it! It’s got nothing to do with your skin colour. Starlink is welcome to operate in South Africa provided there’s compliance with local laws,” Monyela posted on X.
Musk’s comments appear to be aimed at South Africa’s Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) laws, which require foreign-owned telecommunications companies to sell at least 30% of their local subsidiaries to historically disadvantaged groups. The requirement is part of the country’s broader efforts to correct economic imbalances caused by apartheid.
Reports from South African technology news website TechCentral indicate that SpaceX, Starlink’s parent company, has previously written to the country’s telecommunications regulator, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), asking it to reconsider the 30% local ownership rule. However, ICASA stated that it had not received any formal application from Starlink or SpaceX.
Meanwhile, Communications Minister Solly Malatsi has reportedly engaged ICASA to explore alternative compliance measures, such as skills development, to enable companies like SpaceX to enter the South African market.
Starlink, which provides satellite-based internet services worldwide, operates in many African countries but has encountered regulatory challenges in nations like Cameroon and Namibia due to licensing issues.
Musk, who emigrated to the U.S. from South Africa, has been increasingly vocal about his disagreements with the country’s policies. His latest remarks come amid tensions between the U.S. and South Africa, following Washington’s suspension of aid over South Africa’s land reform policies and its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
Despite the controversy, South African authorities maintain that Starlink is welcome to operate if it meets the necessary regulatory requirements.
