13/04/2026
THIS ONE MUST JUST MOVE ON!
It feels like every week Elon Musk is back on X complaining about South Africa’s B-BBEE laws. In a series of posts on 12–13 April 2026, the SpaceX CEO — born in Pretoria — claimed the country is blocking Starlink’s operating licence simply because he is not Black. He also alleged the company was repeatedly offered a way to bypass the rules by installing a Black front owner, which he says he refused on principle.
But the issue is straightforward: South Africa has Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) regulations that require 30% ownership by historically disadvantaged groups for telecom licences. These are the laws of the country — and companies operating there are expected to follow them. A December 2025 policy adjustment by Communications Minister Solly Malatsi even introduced equity-equivalent alternatives, yet Starlink still does not have a licence.
Instead of working within that framework, Musk has escalated his rhetoric, calling for the politicians behind the laws to be shunned, sanctioned, and to have their assets seized — a response many would see as over the top, given that the dispute ultimately comes down to complying with local regulations.