Elon Musk (Junie 2023) (Photo: Alain Jocard / AFP)
The debate on South Africa’s race-based policies, including broad-based black economic empowerment (BSEEB), has gained new momentum after sharp statements by entrepreneur Elon Musk and a response from the presidency.
Solidarity says that the pressure against this policy is increasing rapidly – locally and internationally – and that the reality of its implications is increasingly being exposed.
Musk, who was born in South Africa, claimed on X that his satellite internet service, Starlink, was not licensed in the country because of racial requirements.
“South Africa does not want to allow Starlink to be licensed… simply because I am not black,” Musk wrote, among other things.
He also claimed that he was reportedly repeatedly approached with offers of bribery, whereby he could pretend that Starlink’s local operations were run by a black person. He added that he rejected such suggestions as a matter of principle and that racism, regardless of who it is aimed at, should not be rewarded.
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.… https://t.co/m6G1ZQcC1C
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 12, 2026
Presidency strikes back
Vincent Magwenya, spokesman for the presidency, sharply condemned Musk’s remarks.
According to Magwenya, it is unfair to ignore South Africa’s transformation laws and at the same time make accusations.
“In the absence of respect for South Africa’s transformation laws, your spreading of lies and misinformation about South Africa is not going to make the relationship you are trying to enforce materialize,” he said.
He indicated that Musk’s approach would not lead to cooperation.
Solidarity: Pressure is increasing
Dr. Dirk Hermann. (Photo: Facebook)
According to dr. Dirk Hermann, CEO of Solidarity, the international reaction to South Africa’s policy is no coincidence.
“What we are seeing is that South Africa’s race policy is no longer only discussed domestically. It is being questioned internationally, and it is starting to affect investment, economic growth and the country’s reputation,” says Hermann.
“Legal actions by Solidarity and other organizations against workplace targets show that the resistance is already deeply rooted. What is happening now is that local and international pressure is starting to converge, and it is changing the playing field.”
Solidarity warns that the South African government’s continued resistance to Starlink is not simply an abstract policy issue, but a real cost for millions of South Africans, especially in rural and remote areas.
“While large parts of Africa already offer access to high-speed internet, communities outside South Africa’s urban areas are still reliant on expensive mobile data or smaller service providers who often use outdated and expensive technology.”
Hermann emphasizes that access to the internet today is no longer a luxury, but a necessity.
“South Africa is a large country with many communities that still do not have sufficient access to the internet. This means they are effectively excluded from the modern economy.
“Starlink offers a simple, cost-effective solution for these communities, but the government refuses to allow this solution simply because it clings to its racial ideology.”
According to Hermann, the situation is ironic and untenable.
“It is simply illogical to, for the sake of so-called empowerment, prevent these – mostly black – communities from gaining access to the latest technology.
“Many households cannot afford expensive mobile data, and in many cases there is not even reliable network coverage. BEE is therefore increasingly exposed as a system that primarily benefits black political elites.”
Solidarity says the growing response from the public further strengthens the pressure.
“The public is no longer silent. We appealed to the public to report postal advertisements with racial requirements to us, as no law requires race in such advertisements. Since then, we have received numerous e-mails about them. This shows that people no longer accept these practices as normal – they are beginning to actively question and expose them.”
According to him, this indicates a deeper shift in public thinking.
“There is a growing realization that race-based policy is not only a moral problem, but also a practical one that affects the economy and service delivery.
“We also see this in the debate on BEE. Analysts such as William Gumede have pointed out that in many cases BEE has degenerated into mismanagement, corruption and the wrong use of capital.
“It confirms that the problem is not just ideological in nature – it has real, measurable consequences.”
According to Hermann, the combination of these factors puts the government under increasing pressure.
“South Africa cannot afford to keep most of its population in the economic dark because of policies that don’t work. When investors back off, entrepreneurs make their voices heard and ordinary people start pushing back, reality starts to kick in.”
He appeals to employers not to wait for policy change, but to act themselves.
“Employers don’t have to wait. They can already start today by putting merit first. The question is no longer whether this system is under pressure; the question is how long it will last.”
