Facing its own economic challenges, while Elon Musk, a native South African is heading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in Washington, and helping to power up the US economy, South Africans are now urging the world richest man to think home, and remember papa’s land.
South Africa is seeking investment from Elon Musk, despite Musk’s recent accusations that the SA government is pursuing racist agenda, the presidency announced on Wednesday..
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya confirmed that “President Ramaphosa is engaging with Musk to see him invest more in South Africa.“
Cyril Ramaphosa is particularly interested in Musk’s satellite internet service, Starlink. This service provides web access to remote areas. However, licensing Starlink in South Africa has been delayed due to the country’s Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) regulations.
These regulations seek to address racial disparities from the apartheid era. While Starlink is available in 17 African countries, it has yet to launch in South Africa – Musk’s own native land..
Seeking Starlink Investment
Musk and Ramaphosa met in September at the UN General Assembly. They spoke again by phone on Tuesday. This followed Musk’s remarks on his social media platform X, accusing Ramaphosa’s government of enforcing “openly racist ownership laws.”
Musk may have referred to the BEE policy. This policy requires major companies, including foreign investors, to allocate 30% equity to historically disadvantaged groups – an euphemism for black South Africans. This effort intends to correct racial imbalances from white-minority rule.
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Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to cut funding to South Africa. Trump claims the country is “confiscating” land under an expropriation act.
The new law allows the government to offer “nil compensation” for property deemed necessary to seize in the public interest. This can only occur after efforts to negotiate compensation with the property owner.
President @CyrilRamaphosa has fired back! pic.twitter.com/grvmaMFVLB
— H. (@Lawrence_LH7) February 3, 2025
Ramaphosa addressed what he called “disinformation” from Trump and pushed back against Musk’s racism accusations, telling Trump to mind his own country, while South Africans mind theirs.
Magwenya insists, “South Africa does not have racist ownership laws.”
South Africa’s telecom regulator will hold a public hearing this month. The hearing will discuss regulations for potential operators, which could influence Starlink’s prospects in the country.
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