Elon Musk claims Starlink launch blocked ‘for sole reason that I am not black’

Zuko Komisa

Elon Musk has accused the South African government of using “anti-White” laws to block Starlink, claiming the satellite firm is being denied a licence solely because of his race.
The dispute centres on Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) rules, which require 30% local Black ownership a mandate Musk has branded “openly racist.”
While the government has proposed “equity equivalent” investment schemes as a compromise, internal political divisions and a lack of a formal application from SpaceX have kept the service in legal limbo.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk has sparked fresh controversy by alleging that his satellite internet firm, Starlink, is being barred from South Africa because of his race.

In a series of posts on X, the Pretoria-born entrepreneur claimed Starlink is being denied a licence “for the sole reason that I am not Black.”

He further condemned South Africa’s legislative framework, asserting that the country now maintains more “anti-White laws” than there were “anti-Black laws under Apartheid,” and called for a “fair and even playing field.”

The dispute centres on South Africa’s Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) policies, which require telecommunications providers to be 30% owned by historically disadvantaged groups.

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. https://t.co/MVCUAu6kfk

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 8, 2026