The Presidency has hit back at Elon Musk after he claimed Starlink cannot operate in South Africa because he is “not black”. Musk posted the allegation on X over the weekend and also claimed officials suggested that the company could work around local rules by misrepresenting its ownership structure. The report states that he did not provide evidence for those claims.

Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya dismissed the remarks and made it clear that government is not shifting its position. He said Musk should focus on other countries instead of continuing to criticise South Africa, adding that there are plenty of other markets where Starlink could do business.

At the centre of the standoff is South Africa’s telecoms licensing framework. The Electronic Communications Act provides the legal framework for licensing in the sector, while the current regulatory position requires companies seeking certain communications licences to meet ownership targets linked to historically disadvantaged groups. The South African reported that this has become the key sticking point for Starlink’s entry into the local market.

According to The South African, companies applying for these licences must ensure at least 30% ownership by historically disadvantaged groups. SpaceX has reportedly refused to apply under those conditions, arguing that the requirement does not fit its global ownership model. That has left Starlink outside the South African market despite repeated public debate around its possible launch.

Bigger Than a Political Spat

The clash matters because Starlink is widely seen as a possible game changer for rural and underserved communities. Satellite internet could help close major connectivity gaps in areas where traditional operators often struggle to build profitable infrastructure. That is one reason the issue keeps drawing public attention, even as the legal and political fight continues.

For now, though, the message from the Presidency is blunt. South Africa is not backing down on its rules and Musk has been told to look elsewhere if he does not want to comply. That leaves Starlink’s path into the country as uncertain as ever.