The Trump administration’s attacks on South Africa have been driven in part by President Trump’s opposition to affirmative action policies in the country. Administration officials have said the policies, known as Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment, discriminate against white business owners and prevent American companies from investing in South Africa. The measures are intended to address wealth disparities created by apartheid, when South Africa’s white minority excluded blacks from the economy. Much of the criticism has been amplified by Elon Musk, the billionaire South African native and Republican mega-donor who has refused to comply with the affirmative action requirements necessary to bring his Starlink satellite internet company to the country. Musk has said that broad-based black economic empowerment measures are racist. He has been particularly vocal about a rule requiring companies to have some Black owners in order to obtain a telecommunications license. Starlink needs such a license to operate in South Africa. The United States has vowed to continue punishing the country if it does not change its affirmative action laws. That threat has ignited debate in South Africa, where many people, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, believe black empowerment policies need to be reviewed, but opinions vary on how to do so. As it is, the laws can be difficult to understand. Test how much you know about affirmative action in South Africa below.
