Elon Musk claimed Friday that Starlink, his satellite internet company, is unable to operate in South Africa because he is “not black.”
SpaceX, the satellite service’s parent company, is prohibited from entering the South African market due to the country’s Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) regulations, which are meant to “enhance the economic participation of black people in the South African economy.” Musk’s remark came in response to a clip featuring Robert Hersov, a South African entrepreneur, discussing anti-white racial policies imposed by the country’s government.
“Starlink is not allowed to operate in South Africa, because I’m not black,” Musk, who was also born in South Africa before immigrating to Canada and later the U.S., said in a post on X. (RELATED: Trump Convenes Cabinet To Tell Them What Elon Musk’s Job Actually Is)
Clayson Monyela, head of public diplomacy at South Africa’s Department of International Relations, denied the claims in a response on X.
“Sir, that’s NOT true & you know it! It’s got nothing to do with your skin colour,” he said. “Starlink is welcome to operate in [South African flag emoji] provided there’s compliance with local laws. This is a global international trade & investment principle. There are over 600 USA companies investing & operating in #SouthAfrica…all complying & thriving! @Microsoft just announced additional investments yesterday.” […]
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