Also known as: the South African-born tech billionaire · Mr Musk
Founder of Starlink and xAI, whose companies' operations in Namibia faced regulatory rejection and whose AI startup raised $20 billion in funding.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
Elon Musk influenced Trump's statements about white South Africans
“This whole nonsense is the Afrikaner side of Elon Musk talking, not Trump.”
White South Africans en route to ‘da ‘hood’: WelcomeThe Namibian
Elon Musk alleged Starlink was not allowed to operate in South Africa because he is not black
“Trump's close adviser Elon Musk, who was born in South Africa, has referred to the country's "racist ownership laws", alleging that his satellite internet service provider Starlink was "not allowed to operate in South Africa simply because I'm not black".”
Is there a genocide of white South Africans as Trump claims?The Namibian
Elon Musk wrote on X Ship landed precisely on target; Second of the two objectives achieved
“"Ship landed precisely on target! Second of the two objectives achieved", SpaceX CEO Elon Musk wrote on X.”
Elon Musk's Starship booster captured in world firstThe Namibian
Elon Musk threatened to sue the FAA in response to the fine
“In response to the fine, Musk threatened to sue the agency and SpaceX put out a public blog post hitting back against "false reporting" that part of the rocket was polluting the environment.”
Elon Musk's Starship booster captured in world firstThe Namibian
Elon Musk said his company Neuralink successfully implanted a wireless brain chip in a human for the first time
“Tech billionaire Elon Musk has said his company Neuralink has successfully implanted a wireless brain chip in a human for the first time.”
Elon Musk announces first Neuralink wireless brain chip implant in a humanThe Namibian
Elon Musk called for pausing AI development to address safety concerns
“There are many dangers posed by AI, and I fully support the recent call by tens of thousands of people, including tech leaders Steve Wozniak and Elon Musk, to pause development to address safety concerns.”
ChatGPT can’t thinkThe Namibian
Elon Musk was rumoured to be preparing to take the witness stand but won't
“Billionaire Elon Musk and actor James Franco were both rumoured to be preparing to take the witness stand, but that won't happen.”
Bombshells From The Johnny Depp TrialThe Namibian
Elon Musk is buying Twitter
“Elon Musk is buying Twitter, and we are seeing, in real time, half the world lose their minds over the seriously scary idea of his possible totalitarian rule.”
Oh, ElonThe Namibian
Elon Musk spent US$44 billion to buy a social media website
“We should stop idolising these guys who are willing to spend US$44 billion, an amount 90% of the planet cannot even fathom, to buy a social media website, just because you feel you've been bullied on there, when there are so many more pressing issues that could be dealt with.”
Oh, ElonThe Namibian
Elon Musk explained to a crowd that privileged people with adequate technology access are technically cyborgs already due to phones as digital extensions
“I mentioned in another column recently how Elon Musk explained to a crowd that we – those of us with privilege and adequate access to technology – are all technically cyborgs already due to the fact that we already have our phones as digital extensions of us.”
A Paradox of NoteNamibia's communications regulator has closed its reconsideration process on Starlink's rejected licence application, directing aggrieved parties to pursue review at the High Court. Cran chief executive Emilia Nghikembua said the authority has exhausted all avenues available to it, noting that Starlink's own reconsideration request was submitted late and did not meet legal requirements.
23 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's communications regulator has closed its reconsideration process on Starlink's rejected licence application, directing aggrieved parties to pursue review at the High Court. Cran chief executive Emilia Nghikembua said the authority has exhausted all avenues available to it, noting that Starlink's own reconsideration request was submitted late and did not meet legal requirements.
23 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) has upheld its rejection of Starlink Internet Services Namibia's licence applications, emphasizing that the rule of law applies equally to all, including foreign investors. While acknowledging Starlink's potential to improve connectivity in remote areas, the editorial argues that adherence to national legislation must supersede admiration for technological innovation.
23 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The US Department of Justice said the FBI thwarted a plot targeting Sunday's UFC event at the White House and arrested five men across four states. The alleged plan involved striking nearby buildings with explosive-laden drones, firing on "high value targets" with snipers, and storming the White House gate in a coordinated attack.
17 June 2026 · The Namibian →
A review of the first episode of 'The Black and Yellow Podcast', a new show on One Africa Television hosted by Namibian duo Reggie and Frozen with guest Michael Amushelelo, finds the conversation lacking structure and insight, circling predictably around dating and materialism rather than exploring deeper territory, though technical improvements and clearer direction could strengthen future episodes.
22 April 2026 · The Namibian →
The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia rejected Starlink's application citing ownership, security, and sovereignty concerns. The editorial argues that local telecommunications companies must now deliver better connectivity and affordability, noting that Namibia ranks 143rd globally in internet speed and only 15% of households have fixed internet access.
28 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Prime Minister Dr. Elijah Ngurare has defended Namibia's rejection of Elon Musk's Starlink proposal, saying Namibian laws must apply equally to all foreign investors regardless of geopolitical ties. The government turned down the 100% foreign-owned venture due to national security concerns, insisting that any company providing services in Namibia must allow local ownership and benefit to Namibians.
26 March 2026 · Informanté →
Namibia's Information and Communication Technology Minister Emma Theofelus said the rejection of Starlink's application to provide satellite internet services was lawful and based on regulatory requirements, including the mandatory 51% local ownership rule and national security concerns. The minister noted that Starlink's proposed 100% foreign ownership model raised material regulatory considerations regarding jurisdiction and government oversight, and that the company had also operated unlawfully without a licence.
25 March 2026 · New Era →
The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) has rejected Starlink's applications for both a class comprehensive telecommunications service licence and a Spectrum licence for satellite internet services. The decision was published in the Government Gazette, with the authority citing that Starlink has 0% Namibian citizen ownership, and aggrieved parties may petition for reconsideration within 90 days.
25 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Zimbabwean white farmers whose land was seized during Robert Mugabe's rule are seeking help from Donald Trump's administration to recover $3.5 billion in unpaid compensation promised by President Mnangagwa, leveraging the US interest in Zimbabwe's rare-earth mineral deposits and the Trump administration's previous support for white farmers in South Africa. Some farmer groups have hired a Washington lobby firm with Trump administration ties to promote the compensation through US government support for debt relief and international financing, though the farming community remains divided on the strategy and some fear worsening relations between Washington and Harare.
16 March 2026 · The Namibian →
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's 2026 State of the Nation Address employed careful political calculations to address diverse constituencies—including populists demanding military intervention, ANC loyalists seeking preservation of state ownership, free-marketeers wanting private sector participation, and others—while deliberately omitting topics like the Expropriation Act and farm murders that might alienate coalition partners. The speech also downgraded previous priorities like the Fourth Industrial Revolution in favour of green economy rhetoric, and reduced the urgency around gender-based violence despite its earlier treatment as a national emergency.
13 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Electric vehicle sales in Germany rebounded strongly in 2025, rising 43.2% to over 545,000 vehicles and representing 19.1% of new car sales, with Chinese manufacturer BYD more than tripling its market share. In contrast, US automakers including General Motors, Honda, and Nissan reported declining fourth-quarter sales, with EV transactions falling sharply after a federal tax credit expired in September.
8 January 2026 · New Era →
Elon Musk's artificial intelligence startup xAI announced it has raised US$20 billion in funding, surpassing its initial US$15 billion target, with backing from investors including Nvidia. The funding accelerates development of xAI's Grok AI models, which face international scrutiny over deepfake generation concerns.
8 January 2026 · New Era →
The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia expects to announce its decision on Starlink's application to operate in Namibia by the end of Q1 2026. The main issue holding up the application is Namibia's legal requirement that telecommunications licensees have 51% domestic ownership, which Starlink is seeking an exemption from, though public submissions on the application have been largely supportive (1,164 in favour versus 16 opposed).
7 January 2026 · New Era →
Amnesty International reported that Ugandan security forces have used torture and arbitrary arrests to intimidate opposition supporters ahead of 15 January elections, with documented cases of beating, pepper-spraying, and tasering; President Yoweri Museveni seeks to extend his 40-year rule amid fears the government may shut down the internet during voting.
6 January 2026 · New Era →