Handshake Refusal—A Diplomacy Misfire Elon Musk.

Recent social media chatter suggests that Elon Musk allegedly refused to shake hands with President Cyril Ramaphosa—a claim that flies in the face of available evidence. A widely circulated photo from Heritage Day shows the two smiling and shaking hands, a moment far more reflective of goodwill than diplomatic snub.

The real tension lies elsewhere: Musk has been vocal in criticizing South Africa’s Black Economic Empowerment rules, calling them “openly racist” for mandating 30% local ownership by historically disadvantaged groups. These rules have so far precluded the rollout of his satellite internet service, Starlink, in the country.