Tech billionaire Elon Musk sparked widespread debate on social media after accusing South Africa of having “openly racist ownership laws”.
- Elon Musk accused South Africa of having ‘openly racist ownership laws’ in response to a tweet by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
- President Donald Trump announced the U.S. would halt aid to South Africa over its land expropriation policies.
- South African President Ramaphosa signed a law making it easier for the state to expropriate land in the public interest.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk sparked widespread debate on social media after accusing South Africa of having “openly racist ownership laws” in a direct response to a tweet by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The South Africa-born billionaire’s post has garnered over 6.7 million views, sparking a polarizing discussion on the country’s land ownership policies.
His statement comes amid rising tensions over the issue, reinforcing support for President Donald Trump, who recently announced that the U.S. would halt aid to South Africa over its land expropriation policies.
“The United States won’t stand for it, we will act,” Trump said in a Sunday evening post on Truth Social. “Also, I will be cutting off all future funding to South Africa until a full investigation of this situation has been completed!”
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Ramaphosa defends South Africa’s land policies
Last month, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa signed a law making it easier for the state to expropriate land in the public interest, requiring only equitable compensation. The legislation seeks to address racial disparities in land ownership that have persisted since the end of apartheid in 1994.
In his tweet, Ramaphosa stated, “South Africa is a constitutional democracy that is deeply rooted in the rule of law, justice, and equality. The South African government has not confiscated any land.”
“The recently adopted Expropriation Act is not a confiscation instrument, but a constitutionally mandated legal process that ensures public access to land in an equitable and just manner as guided by the constitution,” he stated.
Ramaphosa stressed that, like the United States and other countries, South Africa has long maintained expropriation laws that balance public land use needs and the protection of property owners’ rights. “We are certain that out of those engagements, we will share a better and common understanding over these matters,” he said.
He emphasized that the U.S. remains a key strategic political and trade partner for South Africa. He also clarified that aside from PEPFAR aid—which accounts for 17% of South Africa’s HIV/AIDS program—South Africa does not receive any other funding from the United States.
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Debate over Musk’s remarks
Critics argue Musk’s comment misrepresents the complexities of South Africa’s efforts to address historical injustices rooted in apartheid, including land reform and black economic empowerment programs.
Supporters of Musk claim these laws unfairly discriminate against certain groups, hindering equal opportunities in business and property ownership.
The South African government has yet to respond to Musk’s tweet formally.
