SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has accused South Africa of “Apartheid 2.0” over the continued delay in licensing Starlink, his satellite internet service.

In posts on X on 12 April 2026, Musk claimed the country will not grant Starlink an operating licence simply because he is not Black. The tech billionaire was born in Pretoria.

Musk's Strong Criticism of South African Policy

Musk stated that South Africa won’t allow Starlink to be licensed “even though I was BORN THERE, simply because I am not Black!”

He alleged that Starlink was offered multiple opportunities to secure a licence by “pretending that a Black guy runs Starlink SA”, an arrangement he says he refused on principle. Musk wrote: “Racism should not be rewarded no matter to which race it is applied.” He also called for politicians behind the current laws to be shunned internationally.

The B-BBEE Framework at the Centre of the Dispute

The row centres on South Africa’s Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) requirements. Under current rules, electronic communications licensees must have at least 30% ownership by historically disadvantaged groups.

In December 2025, Communications Minister Solly Malatsi issued a policy direction to ICASA to recognise equity-equivalent investment programmes as compliance with transformation goals.

Current Status and Reactions

Despite the policy shift, Starlink has not yet received an operating licence from ICASA as of April 2026.

The directive has been controversial, with some ANC members arguing it oversteps the minister’s authority. Musk’s latest comments have intensified public debate about transformation policies versus attracting foreign investment in the telecoms sector.