Musk Says South Africa Banned Starlink Because He’s ‘Not Black’

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.

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 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.”

Under South Africa’s Electronic Communications Act (ECA) of 2005, which regulates companies building or operating telecommunications infrastructure in the country, firms cannot obtain an operating license unless they comply with a 30% minimum equity ownership requirement by “historically disadvantaged groups.”