Elon Musk has turned to his social media platform X to complain that his Starlink satellite tv for pc web service is “not allowed to function in South Africa as a result of I’m not black”.
The incendiary put up instantly drew sturdy criticism from X customers, together with Clayson Monyela, South Africa’s head of public diplomacy, who branded it as “not true” and “nothing to do along with your pores and skin color”.
Musk’s put up was in response to a different put up quoting South African businessman and right-wing political campaigner Rob Hersov who informed a podcast that South Africa was “on the sting of a socialist abyss”.
Musk, who backed Donald Trump to win the US presidency final November, has more and more interfered within the politics of nations around the globe, a lot to the chagrin of native politicians.
Monyela hit again at Musk in a put up on X. “Starlink is welcome to function in South Africa supplied there’s compliance with native legal guidelines. It is a international worldwide commerce and funding precept. There are over 600 US firms investing and working in South Africa, all complying and thriving. Microsoft simply introduced extra investments yesterday.”
Monyela was referring to the announcement by Microsoft president and vice chairman Brad Smith in Johannesburg on Thursday that the US software program big plans to take a position R5.4-billion over the subsequent three years constructing superior synthetic intelligence knowledge centres within the nation.
Licence
Musk has been looking for a licence to function the Starlink low-Earth-orbit satellite tv for pc broadband service in South Africa however has baulked on the requirement that telecommunications licensees promote 30% of their fairness to “traditionally deprived” teams.
Democratic Alliance communications minister Solly Malatsi has requested business regulator Icasa to think about “fairness equivalents” to permit firms like SpaceX, which don’t need to (or can’t) promote fairness of their native companies, to spend money on different types of empowerment, akin to abilities improvement.
Learn: Starlink in race with Chinese language rivals to dominate satellite tv for pc web
In January, TechCentral reported that SpaceX, in a written submission, had informed Icasa that it should rethink the principles requiring 30% black possession.
SpaceX had been scheduled to ship an oral presentation at Icasa’s hearings on satellite tv for pc licensing final month however withdrew on the final second.
It’s unclear why Musk is being as antagonistic as he’s to the South African authorities, which has the ability to disclaim him a licence. Nonetheless, it drew sharp reactions from South African X customers, principally unfavourable, in the direction of Musk.
One person posted: “Elon, cease the sufferer complicated. Starlink isn’t banned in South Africa due to your pores and skin color, it’s since you refuse to adjust to native legal guidelines like each different telecoms supplier. Play by the principles or keep out, easy.”
@grok is elons assertion true
— RaisingWildFire (@RaisingWildfire) March 7, 2025
One other stated: “Elon Musk would be the greatest liar in mankind’s historical past. Starlink is barred from working in SA attributable to your unwillingness to comply with guidelines, which you see as made by black folks and thus beneath you.”
Paradoxically, even Grok, the AI software constructed into X, stated Musk’s declare is inaccurate. “Elon Musk’s declare about Starlink not working in South Africa attributable to his race is inaccurate. The restriction stems from South African licensing legal guidelines requiring 30% possession by traditionally deprived teams, not Musk’s race.” – © 2025 NewsCentral Media
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