The world’s richest man, Elon Musk, may not consider himself a South African. However, he has plenty to say about his country of birth.
Apart from his wealth, the 53-year-old has been given a position of power in the White House thanks to his allegiance to President Donald Trump.
Elon heads the US’s new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)
IS ELON MUSK SOUTH AFRICAN?
In 2021, Elon Musk was asked on the X app (then Twitter) what nationality he identified as.
“American, but born in South Africa. Left by myself when I was 17”, he responded.
According to Elon’s father, businessman Errol Musk, his son is “proud” of being a South African.”
Speaking to Podcast & Chill last year, Errol stated that Elon was unlikely to permanently return to SA, as the US “is where his interests lie.”
He added: “He’s been back here quite a few times. He comes secretly because he gets special private treatment.”
According to The Sun, Elon has citizenship in three countries: South Africa, Canada, and America.
‘SA IS A VIOLENT PLACE’
Speaking on the Full Send Podcast in 2022, Elon Musk claimed SA was a “violent” country. This, following a childhood where he was repeatedly bullied at school.
He said: “I’ve been in real hard-core street fights. I got beaten up real badly in a few of them, actually.”
“I grew up in South Africa. It’s a very violent place.”
When asked if his experience of being bullied contributed to his success, Elon added: “It’ll certainly toughen you up, that’s for sure.”
Elon attended a series of affluent schools in Johannesburg, including Bryanston High and Pretoria High School.
But his life of privilege did not afford him happiness.
He tweeted: “I grew up in a lower, transitioning to upper, middle-income situation, but did not have a happy childhood. I haven’t inherited anything ever from anyone, nor has anyone given me a large financial gift.
Elon also shot down allegations his father, Errol Musk, was a mining magnate.
He continued: “Regarding the so-called ‘emerald mine,’ there is no objective evidence whatsoever that this mine ever existed. He told me that he owned a share in a mine in Zambia, and I believed him for a while, but nobody has ever seen the mine, nor are there any records of its existence.
“If this mine was real, he would not require financial support from my brother and me.”
SELF-MADE?
In another tweet, Elon Musk hinted that he left his comfortable life only to incur more than $100k in student loan debt.
According to his parents, Elon left SA because he feared joining the Apartheid military service.
He tweeted: “I left South Africa by myself when I was 17 with just a backpack and suitcase of books”.
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