Presidency tells Elon Musk to ‘move on’ amid Starlink row

South Africa’s Presidency dismisses Elon Musk’s claims and tells him to move on, saying he should focus on other global markets.

Apr 14, 2026 - 11:00
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Presidency tells Elon Musk to ‘move on’ amid Starlink row

South African-born billionaire Elon Musk has again claimed that his satellite internet service, Starlink, cannot operate in South Africa because he is not black.

Posting on X over the weekend, Musk said authorities blocked Starlink from launching in his home country on racial grounds.

He also alleged that officials repeatedly offered the company chances to “bribe” its way into the market by misrepresenting ownership to meet local requirements.

Musk, however, did not provide evidence to support these claims.

Government rejects Elon Musk’s Starlink allegations

The Presidency of South Africa has dismissed Musk’s claims and urged him to shift focus elsewhere.

Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said Musk should consider opportunities in other countries instead of criticising South Africa.

“There are 193 member states in the United Nations. There is good money to be made in 192 markets. It is okay to move on,” Magwenya said.

Licensing dispute at the centre

The standoff centres on South Africa’s telecoms regulations under the Electronic Communications Act.

The law requires companies applying for licences to ensure at least 30% ownership by historically disadvantaged groups.

SpaceX has refused to apply for a licence under these conditions, arguing that the ownership requirement does not align with its global structure.

Despite the dispute, many view Starlink as a solution to expand high-speed internet in rural and underserved areas, where traditional mobile operators struggle to deliver reliable and profitable coverage.

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