‘Violent’, ‘unhappy’: Everything Elon Musk has said about SA
While Elon Musk claims he is NOT South African, he has had plenty to say about his place of birth. Here’s what he really thinks about Mzansi.
Despite his own admission that he does not consider himself to be South African, billionaire businessman Elon Musk has said a lot about his country of birth. His latest, follows an indirect jab at EFF leader Julius Malema, whom he accused of “pushing a genocide of white people.”
Elon emigrated to Canada at age 17, following his early years in Pretoria. The world’s richest man later moved to the US, where he is now an accomplished entrepreneur.
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ELON MUSK: ‘SA IS A VIOLENT PLACE’
Speaking on the Full Send Podcast last year, 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.”
ALSO READ: Pretoria boys reunite? Calls for Dricus du Plessis to train Elon Musk
UNHAPPY CHILDHOOD
Responding to a Twitter user, Elon Musk shed light on his childhood in SA. 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.