Tech billionaire and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has ignited a heated debate over South Africa’s racial policies, claiming that his satellite internet service, Starlink, is not allowed to operate in the country because he is “not black.” The statement, made on X (formerly Twitter), has led to a sharp response from South African officials, who insist that race has nothing to do with the restrictions placed on Starlink’s entry into the market.

Musk’s remarks were prompted by a podcast featuring South African businessman Rob Hersov, who argued that race-based laws in South Africa are “anti-white” and that the country has been “infected with an evil woke mind virus.” Musk, who was born in Pretoria but resides primarily in the United States, responded by stating, “Starlink is not allowed to operate in South Africa, because I’m not black.”

South African officials swiftly rejected Musk’s claim. Clayson Monyela, a spokesman for the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation, responded on X, stating, “Sir, that’s NOT true and you know it! It’s got nothing to do with your skin color.” He clarified that Starlink is welcome to operate in South Africa “provided there’s compliance with local laws.”

One of the primary legal barriers cited by officials is the country’s Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) policy, which mandates that foreign telecommunications firms must be at least 30% owned by “persons from historically disadvantaged groups.” This policy,........

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