Elon Musk claimed Starlink cannot operate in South Africa due to his race, citing the Black Economic Empowerment policy. Local officials refuted this, emphasizing compliance with laws instead. This highlights ongoing tensions related to race policies and U.S.-South Africa relations, especially in light of Donald Trump’s criticisms.
Elon Musk claimed that Starlink is prohibited from operating in South Africa due to his race, stating in a social media post, “Starlink is not allowed to operate in South Africa, because I’m not black.” This statement was made while promoting a video featuring Robert Hersov discussing race-based laws in the nation.
Musk’s comments relate to South Africa’s Black Economic Empowerment policy, which mandates that foreign telecommunications companies must sell at least 30 percent of their equity to historically disadvantaged groups. Clayson Monyela, a representative from South Africa’s Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, refuted Musk’s claim, asserting that compliance with local laws, not his race, dictates Starlink’s operability. He emphasized that many U.S. companies are successfully operating in South Africa.
The Black Economic Empowerment policy, enacted in 2003, aims to redress racial inequalities stemming from decades of Apartheid. Starlink is currently operational in several neighboring African nations, including Botswana and Zimbabwe, and has plans to resume operations in Namibia by 2025 after resolving licensing issues.
In the political context, former President Donald Trump has been vocally critical of South Africa’s governance, recently announcing his administration’s decision to halt federal funds and offering a pathway to citizenship for farmers seeking safety in the U.S. from South Africa.
Public reactions to Musk’s comments include journalist Hopewell Chin’ono, who noted that regulatory requirements are in place for telecom companies to have ownership from historically disadvantaged groups as part of the Black Economic Empowerment initiative. Internet personality Mario Nawfal criticized South Africa’s apparent prioritization of politics over economic innovation and growth.
In summary, Elon Musk’s assertion that Starlink is barred from operating in South Africa due to his race has been refuted by local officials who attribute the prohibition to compliance with established laws. The Black Economic Empowerment policy serves to rectify historical injustices of Apartheid. Furthermore, the political tensions surrounding U.S.-South Africa relations have been exacerbated by criticisms from figures such as Donald Trump, who advocates for the protection of farmers from oppressive policies.
Original Source: www.newsweek.com
