Starlink Barred from South Africa; Musk Claims it's 'because I’m not black'
Elon Musk has asserted that his race is the reason Starlink is being neglected in South Africa.. source:TROIB RTS
TroibNews 
US President Donald Trump’s adviser has recently engaged in a dispute with Pretoria on X.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk has asserted that his Starlink satellite internet service is unable to operate in South Africa because he is “not black.” South African officials responded robustly, maintaining that the issue is unrelated to Musk’s race.
Musk, originally from Pretoria but primarily based in the US, made these remarks on Friday following a podcast featuring South African entrepreneur Rob Hersov. In a segment from the podcast that circulated online, Hersov claimed that “race-based laws in South Africa are all anti-white” and contended that an “evil woke mind virus” has infected the country.
“Starlink is not allowed to operate in South Africa, because I’m not black,” Musk wrote on X.
Clayson Monyela, a spokesman for the South African government, quickly dismissed Musk’s statements. “Sir, that’s NOT true and you know it! It’s got nothing to do with your skin color,” Monyela wrote on X. He further stated that Starlink was welcome to operate in South Africa as long as it complied with local regulations.
Laws in South Africa designed to address the lingering racial inequalities from the Apartheid era require that foreign telecommunications companies be at least 30% owned by “persons from historically disadvantaged groups.” Starlink, which is a subsidiary of Musk’s SpaceX, does not publicly offer its shares for sale.
Last year, Starlink’s parent company communicated with South Africa's telecommunications regulator ICASA, characterizing the 30% ownership requirement as a “significant barrier” to investment.
Last month, Trump threatened to cut aid to South Africa, accusing the nation of aligning with Iran and condemning its lawsuit at the International Court of Justice, which alleged that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza. Trump also asserted that South Africa's land reform policies breach human rights.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has rejected the notion that his government permits human rights violations. “We will not be bullied,” he declared in a February speech. Ramaphosa met with Musk last month to discuss “issues of misinformation and distortions about South Africa,” according to an announcement from the president’s office.
The South African government contends that the contentious Expropriation Act is intended to address the imbalances within the nation, where the majority of land is still owned by white farmers, despite whites making up about 7% of the population. The government has set an objective of transferring 30% of farmland to black farmers by 2030.
Frederick R Cook contributed to this report for TROIB News
Tech billionaire Elon Musk has asserted that his Starlink satellite internet service is unable to operate in South Africa because he is “not black.” South African officials responded robustly, maintaining that the issue is unrelated to Musk’s race.
Musk, originally from Pretoria but primarily based in the US, made these remarks on Friday following a podcast featuring South African entrepreneur Rob Hersov. In a segment from the podcast that circulated online, Hersov claimed that “race-based laws in South Africa are all anti-white” and contended that an “evil woke mind virus” has infected the country.
“Starlink is not allowed to operate in South Africa, because I’m not black,” Musk wrote on X.
Clayson Monyela, a spokesman for the South African government, quickly dismissed Musk’s statements. “Sir, that’s NOT true and you know it! It’s got nothing to do with your skin color,” Monyela wrote on X. He further stated that Starlink was welcome to operate in South Africa as long as it complied with local regulations.
Laws in South Africa designed to address the lingering racial inequalities from the Apartheid era require that foreign telecommunications companies be at least 30% owned by “persons from historically disadvantaged groups.” Starlink, which is a subsidiary of Musk’s SpaceX, does not publicly offer its shares for sale.
Last year, Starlink’s parent company communicated with South Africa's telecommunications regulator ICASA, characterizing the 30% ownership requirement as a “significant barrier” to investment.
Last month, Trump threatened to cut aid to South Africa, accusing the nation of aligning with Iran and condemning its lawsuit at the International Court of Justice, which alleged that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza. Trump also asserted that South Africa's land reform policies breach human rights.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has rejected the notion that his government permits human rights violations. “We will not be bullied,” he declared in a February speech. Ramaphosa met with Musk last month to discuss “issues of misinformation and distortions about South Africa,” according to an announcement from the president’s office.
The South African government contends that the contentious Expropriation Act is intended to address the imbalances within the nation, where the majority of land is still owned by white farmers, despite whites making up about 7% of the population. The government has set an objective of transferring 30% of farmland to black farmers by 2030.
Frederick R Cook contributed to this report for TROIB News
