Elon Musk has sparked controversy with his comment on social media regarding the ban of Starlink in South Africa. On Friday, Musk claimed that the satellite internet service is not allowed to operate in the country because he is “not Black.” This comment was made in response to a post on X (formerly Twitter), where he addressed the ongoing dispute over Starlink’s operations in South Africa.
The situation has been developing since August 2023, when the South African government officially banned the importation of Starlink kits. This decision has left South African citizens without access to the satellite internet service, which is available in other African nations like Namibia, Mozambique, and Botswana.
Despite Starlink’s successful operations in 17 African countries, South Africa—Africa’s largest economy—has yet to be included in the network. Musk’s remarks, which suggest racial factors are at play, have led to further debate and criticism regarding the reasons behind the ban.