Elon Musk Questions South Africa's BEE Laws Amid SpaceX Licensing Dispute.
Elon Musk, the South African-born billionaire, has joined President Donald Trump in criticizing South Africa's policies. Musk asked President Cyril Ramaphosa on X, "Why do you have openly racist ownership laws?"
The comment came a day after Trump threatened to cut funding to South Africa over its land expropriation laws. Musk's remarks relate to his company SpaceX's efforts to secure a license for its Starlink internet satellite service in South Africa without black economic empowerment (BEE) restrictions.
South Africa's BEE laws generally require international companies to have 30% ownership by previously disadvantaged local groups. SpaceX has argued that these laws create a significant barrier for international satellite operators like Starlink. The company has requested a reconsideration of the policy.
Last week, the Communications Committee in Parliament insisted that Starlink must comply with South Africa's BEE laws. Committee chair Khusela Diko reiterated that no company can bypass the country's regulations, particularly the 30% BEE ownership requirement for telecommunications businesses.
Musk is a close ally of Trump. The president's latest criticism of South Africa's land expropriation laws comes shortly after the parliamentary committee's comments on Starlink.
President Ramaphosa's spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, responded to Musk's post. He said Musk should keep in mind that South Africa's Constitution provides for redressing the ills of the past due to the devastating legacy of centuries of oppressive and brutal colonialism and apartheid.
Elon Musk, the South African-born billionaire, has joined President Donald Trump in criticizing South Africa's policies. Musk asked President Cyril Ramaphosa on X, "Why do you have openly racist ownership laws?"
The comment came a day after Trump threatened to cut funding to South Africa over its land expropriation laws. Musk's remarks relate to his company SpaceX's efforts to secure a license for its Starlink internet satellite service in South Africa without black economic empowerment (BEE) restrictions.
South Africa's BEE laws generally require international companies to have 30% ownership by previously disadvantaged local groups. SpaceX has argued that these laws create a significant barrier for international satellite operators like Starlink. The company has requested a reconsideration of the policy.
Last week, the Communications Committee in Parliament insisted that Starlink must comply with South Africa's BEE laws. Committee chair Khusela Diko reiterated that no company can bypass the country's regulations, particularly the 30% BEE ownership requirement for telecommunications businesses.
Musk is a close ally of Trump. The president's latest criticism of South Africa's land expropriation laws comes shortly after the parliamentary committee's comments on Starlink.
President Ramaphosa's spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, responded to Musk's post. He said Musk should keep in mind that South Africa's Constitution provides for redressing the ills of the past due to the devastating legacy of centuries of oppressive and brutal colonialism and apartheid.
