Elon Musk Snubbed ANC’s Bid for Starlink Stake, Claims Father Errol Musk

In a surprising revelation, Errol Musk, father of tech mogul Elon Musk, has claimed that South Africa’s ANC and President Cyril Ramaphosa attempted to secure a stake in Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet company ahead of last year’s electionsa request Elon allegedly refused.

The bombshell came during an interview on the Truth Report Podcast on YouTube, where Errol Musk described how he acted as a middleman between the Presidency and his son.

Elon’s Father Drops Bombshell:

🇿🇦 Ramaphosa/ANC Begged Elon for Election Endorsement, $100M Donation, and Starlink Share

🇺🇦 Musk Shut Off Starlink In Ukraine Over Unpaid 🇺🇸 Bills and Sevastopol Attack

“Before the election, Ramaphosa sent me a letter send to Elon, asking him… pic.twitter.com/twhUJQKtWZ

Mr. Tshweu (@TshweuMoleme) November 23, 2025

A Letter, a Phone Call, and an Extraordinary Request

According to Errol Musk, President Ramaphosa initially sent him a letter intended for Elon Musk, requesting support ahead of the elections.

“Before the election, Ramaphosa sent me a letter to send to Elon, asking him for support. And he had the idea that Elon would respond, but Elon didn’t,” Errol said.

He added that the Presidency later reversed its decision and tried to stop him from sending the letterbut the correspondence had already been delivered.

Errol also claimed to have facilitated a phone call between Ramaphosa and Elon Musk. While he did not know the full details of their discussions, he revealed that the ANC’s ambitions soon escalated beyond political support:

“ANC wanted 30% ownership of Starlink. Then they wanted 39%. Then they said they’ll take a $100 million donation. You’re talking to the wrong person when you say that kind of thing to Elon Musk. That’s not how you deal with Elon. That guy will stop the world from turning rather than give you what you want like that.”

Public Reaction and Social Media Buzz

The claims quickly sparked reactions on social media, with many South Africans expressing disbelief over the idea of the ruling party requesting a private stake in a billionaire’s company.

“Imagine asking Elon Musk for a 39% share of Starlink. SA politics just hit a new level,” one Twitter user remarked.
“If true, this shows desperation from the ANC to secure influence and funding ahead of elections,” commented another.

The ANC has yet to respond to requests for comment.

Context: ANC, Elections, and Starlink

The alleged approach comes in the wake of the ANC falling below 50% support in the previous national election, forcing the party to form a Government of National Unity that includes the Democratic Alliance (DA). Reports suggest that the party was exploring unconventional avenues to bolster its position, though the Musk family insists that Elon never entertained any such deals.

Elon Musk’s relationship with South Africa has been complex. He has publicly criticised the government for race-based laws and previously claimed that Starlink was not accessible in South Africa because he was “not black”, further fueling debate on social media about corporate governance, political influence, and race-based policies.

While this story touches on politics and business, it also underscores a broader issue: the tension between government intervention and private enterprise in South Africa. The notion of a ruling party attempting to acquire a multi-billion-dollar stake in a foreign entrepreneur’s company highlights the challenges of governance, accountability, and political funding in the modern era.

Observers note that even if unverified, the episode reflects how global tech leaders are perceived as both potential investors and strategic partners in national development, and how such interactions can spark controversy at home and abroad.

With the ANC yet to comment and Elon Musk remaining silent on the specific allegations, many South Africans are watching closely. Analysts suggest the story could reignite debates around political fundraising, corporate influence, and ethical governance in the lead-up to future elections.

{Source: IOL}

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