Elon Musk, the owner of Starlink and the CEO of SpaceX, has sparked yet another heated global debate by accusing the South African government of denying his satellite internet company an operating licence on racial grounds.
Musk made the allegation on Thursday evening through the X platform, saying that the refusal was due to his race rather than regulatory or technical requirements.
“Starlink is not allowed to have an Internet provider license in South Africa for the sole reason that I am not Black. This is not ok,” Musk said.
He added: “There are 140 laws in South Africa that basically give strong preference to if you are a black South African and not otherwise. Starlink is not allowed to operate in South Africa, because I’m not black.”
The statement sparked considerable outcry online, with X users from Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas responding.
Many people questioned why Musk's company would purportedly be barred from operating in South Africa while other American technology firms run by white leaders do so freely.
Major US firms with a substantial presence in South Africa include Microsoft, Google, Meta , Intel, International Business Machines Corporation, Amazon Web Services, Oracle, Cisco, and Dell Technologies.
American consumer brands such as Apple, Netflix, Uber, PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, McDonald's, KFC, Burger King, and Coca-Cola have a significant presence in South Africa, employing thousands of people and contributing to the local economy.
Popular South African blogger Penuel The Black Pen wrote to Musk: “You're lying. Black foreigners cannot operate in South Africa without abiding by the laws. The law says you must offer a piece of your company to previously disadvantaged people in South Africa to ensure economic empowerment.”
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