South Africa Is Promoting Racial Laws
South Africa has over 140 laws that explicitly discriminate against non-black citizens, writes Elon Musk, who recently called out the country’s race-based legal framework on X.
Unfortunately this is not conspiracy. This is codified policy.
The South African government denies licensing to Starlink, Musk’s satellite internet service, effectively blocking millions of underserved rural citizens from affordable, high-speed internet — all because Musk isn’t black.
Racial Quotas Over Infrastructure
South Africa’s Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) policy requires companies to have black ownership or face exclusion from doing business — even in critical sectors like telecommunications.
That’s why Starlink isn’t allowed. South Africa mandates local licensing partnerships, and unless a company is black-owned or has significant black ownership, the government will not grant operating rights.
Never mind that Starlink could transform education, healthcare, and connectivity for millions in rural and township areas where traditional ISPs have failed. Politics trumps progress.
140+ Race-Based Laws
The Solidarity Research Institute has compiled a list of over 140 active race-based laws in South Africa that enforce hiring quotas, ownership mandates, procurement rules, and more — all designed to benefit one group over another, explicitly based on skin color.
This isn’t equity. This is institutionalized discrimination — repackaged.
Ironically, Nelson Mandela once warned against this very thing: “Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another.”
That dream is dead.
Censorship Can’t Stop Truth
Despite the ban, Starlink-compatible kits are entering South Africa via gray markets, and Starlink satellites still beam coverage to the country. Internet freedom always finds a way.
And the public is paying attention.
X is now the #1 News App in South Africa, a stunning rebuke of government-coddled media. South Africans are turning to Elon’s platform not for the tech or even in deliberate defiance of the government’s policy — but for truth, simply.