South Africa has rejected Elon Musk’s claim that Starlink cannot operate in the country due to his race, stating that compliance with local telecom laws is required.
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| South Africa denies Elon Musk’s claim that Starlink is barred due to his race, saying telecom laws—not skin color—govern operations. Image: ChicHue |
Johannesburg, South Africa — March 8, 2025:
South African officials have rejected Elon Musk’s assertion that his Starlink satellite internet service is not allowed to operate in the country because he is "not black." Government representatives insist that Starlink is welcome, provided it complies with local telecommunications regulations, reads an RT post.
Musk, who was born in Pretoria but resides primarily in the United States, made the claim on social media in response to a podcast featuring South African businessman Rob Hersov. The businessman criticized the country’s race-based economic policies, calling them discriminatory.
"Starlink is not allowed to operate in South Africa because I’m not black," Musk wrote on X.
The South African government swiftly denied the accusation. "Sir, that’s NOT true and you know it! It’s got nothing to do with your skin color," said Clayson Monyela, a senior official in the Department of International Relations and Cooperation. He emphasized that Starlink must comply with local laws, including a requirement that foreign telecommunications operators be at least 30% owned by historically disadvantaged groups.
Starlink’s parent company, SpaceX, previously raised concerns about this policy, calling it a "significant barrier" to investment. However, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has confirmed that Starlink has not submitted an application for a license.
Musk’s remarks have reignited debate over South Africa’s Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policies, which aim to address the inequalities left by apartheid. The government maintains that these measures are essential to economic transformation.
Starlink, which provides satellite-based internet access in multiple African countries, has faced regulatory hurdles in other regions, including Cameroon and Namibia. Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa has defended South Africa’s policies, saying they are intended to create economic opportunities for disadvantaged groups.
Despite the controversy, officials say South Africa remains open to discussions with SpaceX if it seeks a pathway to compliance, allowing Starlink to operate within the country’s legal framework.