Elon Musk claimed on X that Starlink cannot operate in South Africa due to racial discrimination, prompting strong criticism from local officials. South Africa mandates that foreign businesses allocate 30 percent of ownership to historically disadvantaged groups. Compliance with local laws is emphasized for international companies wishing to operate successfully in the region.
Elon Musk recently expressed frustration on his social media platform X, claiming that his Starlink satellite internet service is “not allowed to operate in South Africa because I’m not black.” This statement quickly attracted criticism from users, including Clayson Monyela, South Africa’s Head of Public Diplomacy, who stated that Musk’s claims are “not true” and unrelated to his race.
South Africa enforces a policy requiring incoming businesses to allocate 30 percent of their ownership to historically disadvantaged groups. Musk has faced criticism for his involvement in the politics of various nations, causing dissatisfaction among local officials.
In response to Musk, Monyela emphasized that “Starlink is welcome to operate in South Africa” as long as it adheres to local regulations. He referenced that many international businesses, like Microsoft, are successfully investing in South Africa after complying with such laws.
Musk is currently pursuing a license for Starlink to provide low-Earth-orbit satellite broadband in South Africa but has expressed reluctance to meet the 30 percent equity requirement mandated for telecommunications operators.
The recent comments by Elon Musk regarding Starlink’s operational restrictions in South Africa have invoked significant backlash, particularly from local government officials. South Africa’s equity policy aims to foster inclusivity for historically disadvantaged groups among foreign investors. Compliance with local laws appears to be a pivotal requirement for the operations of international businesses in the country, as emphasized by public diplomacy authorities.
Original Source: www.advanced-television.com
