Here’s a bombshell that’s bound to shake things up: Errol Musk, Elon Musk’s father, claims the African National Congress (ANC) tried to secure financial support and even a stake in Elon’s Starlink venture ahead of South Africa’s elections. But here’s where it gets controversial—Errol insists his son flat-out refused, and the ANC’s approach was all wrong. This revelation comes at a time when the ANC’s grip on power is already slipping, with their support dipping below 50% in the last national election, forcing them into a coalition with the DA.
According to Errol Musk, President Cyril Ramaphosa personally reached out to him with a letter intended for Elon, seeking his backing before the polls. Errol recalled on the Truth Report Podcast on YouTube, ‘Ramaphosa sent me a letter to forward to Elon, asking for his support. He thought Elon would respond, but he didn’t. Interestingly, Ramaphosa’s secretary later called me, saying, “Don’t send the letter, we’ve changed our minds,” but I had already sent it.’
Errol didn’t stop there. He revealed he’s acted as a go-between for the Presidency and his son multiple times, even arranging a phone call between Ramaphosa and Elon. However, he admitted he’s in the dark about the specifics of their conversations.
And this is the part most people miss—Errol claims the ANC’s demands escalated over time. Initially, they sought a 30% stake in Starlink, then upped it to 39%, before settling on a request for a $100 million donation. Errol bluntly stated, ‘You’re talking to the wrong person when you say that kind of thing to Elon Musk. That’s not how you deal with him. Elon would rather stop the world from turning than give in to demands like that.’
This isn’t the first time Elon has clashed with South Africa’s government. He’s previously criticized its race-based policies, even suggesting Starlink wasn’t available in the country because he wasn’t ‘black enough.’
IOL has reached out to the ANC for comment and will update this story once a response is received. Meanwhile, the question lingers: Was the ANC’s approach to Elon Musk a genuine attempt at partnership, or a misstep that reveals deeper issues in their strategy? Let us know what you think in the comments—is this a fair play by the ANC, or a missed opportunity?
For more updates on this developing story, download the IOL App for Android and iOS now and stay informed on the go.
Related Topics: South African Politics, Elon Musk, Starlink, ANC, Cyril Ramaphosa
