SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, the world’s richest individual, renewed his criticism of South Africa’s telecom guidelines, claiming they forestall his satellite tv for pc Web firm, Starlink, from working regionally as a result of he’s not Black.
In a post on X, Musk stated Starlink was denied an web service supplier license solely on account of his pores and skin colour. He was responding to a 2025 Qatar Financial Discussion board interview wherein he criticized legal guidelines giving preferential therapy primarily based on race.
Enterprise affect of race insurance policies
“There needs to be a good and even taking part in subject,” Musk wrote. “The info are there for anybody to look at. South Africa now has extra anti-White legal guidelines than there have been anti-Black legal guidelines below Apartheid.”
The principles Musk referenced are a part of South Africa’s broad-based Black Financial Empowerment (B-BBEE) laws. Based on the Institute of Race Relations’ Index of Race Legislation, 145 race-based legal guidelines had been energetic as of January 2025—greater than on the peak of Apartheid.
David Ansara, CEO of the Free Market Basis, stated the Employment Fairness Modification Act (EEAA) is among the many most morally questionable. The legislation requires workers to determine as Black African, Colored, Indian/Asian, or White however supplies no steerage on how employers ought to decide race. Sector-specific targets set by the minister can go away some racial or gender teams successfully barred from sure industries.
Starlink helps B-BBEE, challenges licensing guidelines
Starlink has expressed help for B-BBEE however objects to the telecom rule requiring 30 percent ownership by traditionally deprived teams, together with Black South Africans, girls, youth, and other people with disabilities.
The corporate has proposed fairness equal funding packages (EEIPs) as a substitute, permitting overseas corporations to contribute to the financial system via infrastructure, coaching, and group funding moderately than direct possession.
Starlink has pledged R500 million ($30.4 million) without cost high-speed Web and gear to five,000 rural faculties and plans a complete funding of R2 billion ($121.8 million) in South Africa. Communications Minister Solly Malatsi has directed Icasa to align licensing rules with amended B-BBEE ICT Sector Codes and the federal government’s inclusion insurance policies.
“Just one step stays: Icasa should implement the directive,” Starlink stated. “By correcting simply 4 sentences within the rules, Starlink may serve your complete nation inside weeks.” The corporate emphasised it’s not searching for particular therapy and can comply totally with B-BBEE guidelines as soon as licensed.
Starlink expands throughout Africa
Starlink started African operations in 2022 and has expanded in Namibia, Cameroon, Lesotho, Somalia, and Congo as regulatory approvals had been secured. Musk, whose web price is $639 billion, has stated Starlink will proceed increasing wherever native rules permit.
