Elon Musk has sparked backlash on his social media platform X after claiming reverse racism as a reason why his company is not allowed to operate in South Africa.
Image: AFP.
South African-born billionaire Elon Musk has ignited fresh controversy after claiming that his satellite internet company, Starlink, is being blocked from operating in South Africa due to “reverse racism”.
Musk took to X to vent his frustrations, alleging that the South African government had denied Starlink a license based on racial considerations.
“South Africa won’t allow Starlink to be licensed, even though I was BORN THERE, simply because I am not Black! We were offered many times the opportunity to bribe our way to a license by pretending that a Black guy runs Starlink SA, but I have refused to do so on principle.
"Racism should not be rewarded no matter to which race it is applied. Shame on the racist politicians in South Africa. They should be shown no respect whatsoever anywhere in the world and shunned for being unashamedly RACISTS!”
However, South Africans were quick to push back, flooding the comments section with criticism and counter-arguments, sparking a heated online debate.
@DuncanWho said: “Stop spreading misinformation, comply with South Africa’s laws and star-link can operate, you should know better cause you benefited from the apartheid regime, hence you are where you are today.”
@maetsa_kabomo wrote: “You want to provide services directly without local equity partners, and that clashes with South Africa’s licensing framework. Many foreign businesses are thriving in South Africa and compliant with South African laws.”
@penuelist_ commented: “Who asked you to bribe? Don’t obstruct justice, unless you’re also complicit in crime. Name & shame… who asked you for bribes. Share the evidence please. Otherwise you’re lying, and luckily our leaders are weak & won’t sue you.”
While @Mikedotcoza shared: “You’re a blatant liar. That’s exactly why this platform has become so distasteful. You acquired it on the promise of tackling misinformation, yet you’ve become one of its biggest sources. There are over 500 American companies operating in South Africa, many of them led by white executives. This isn’t about facts, it’s about smearing South Africa for your own benefit.”
@Malatjie_ said: “Even if Starlink manages to meet our requirements, it should never be allowed to operate in South Africa... at this point Starlink would be a threat to national security. This is not the first time that Musk has taken to his platform.”
The dispute centres on South Africa’s regulatory framework, which requires foreign telecommunications companies to comply with local ownership and licensing conditions.
Critics argue that Musk’s refusal to align with these requirements lies at the heart of the impasse, rather than racial discrimination.
This is not the first time Musk has publicly criticised South Africa. In 2025, he aligned with former US President Donald Trump in amplifying claims of a so-called “white genocide” in the country - a narrative widely disputed both locally and internationally.
The Trump administration went on to grant expedited refugee status to a group of white South African Afrikaners, following a February 2025 executive order prioritising South African minorities over alleged racial discrimination.
The move drew significant backlash and diplomatic tension.
In May 2025, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa travelled to the United States to meet Trump in an effort to ease strained relations.