Elon Musk Learned As A Kid Growing Up In South Africa 'Don't Be The Weak Dumb F***' — Violence Was Part Of Daily Life

Many people know Elon Musk as the brains behind Tesla Inc. and SpaceX. 

Not everyone is aware of the significant challenges and experiences that shaped him. In addition to his business skills and innovative contributions, Musk's life story highlights his ability to overcome obstacles, demonstrate resilience and exhibit strong determination. He once said, "I don't ever give up. I'd have to be dead or completely incapacitated."

In Walter Isaacson's biography on Musk, a section titled "The Playground" unveils the depths of the billionaire's childhood experiences. Musk's youth was far from ordinary playground escapades. 

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Growing up in a tumultuous South Africa, he faced grave realities daily. At just 12, Musk was introduced to a wilderness survival camp, or veldskool, which he described as a "paramilitary ‘Lord of the Flies.'" The conditions were harsh; children battled for sparse rations, and bullying was not just tolerated but encouraged. Musk's brother Kimbal Musk revealed, "Bullying was considered a virtue." Young Elon, introspective by nature, found himself in a punishing environment, suffering physical beatings and enduring severe weight loss.

In a particularly jarring exercise, the children were split into groups and instructed to launch assaults on each other. Reflecting on the experience, Musk found it "insane, mind-blowing." Fatalities weren't unheard of. Camp counselors would invoke these deaths as cautionary tales, with one stark admonition echoing in Musk's mind: "Don't be stupid like that dumb f*** who died last year. Don't be the weak dumb f***."

Yet adversity often breeds strength. By his second stint at veldskool, approaching his 16th birthday, Musk had transformed both physically and mentally. Standing at an imposing 6 feet tall with a sturdy build and equipped with judo skills, he had a new strategy to confront bullies. "I realized by then that if someone bullied me, I could punch them very hard in the nose, and then they wouldn't bully me again."

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Who could have foreseen that the South African kid would reshape industries and introduce groundbreaking innovations to the world? Anyone, from any background, can make a significant impact if they possess vision and determination. Investing in startups gives people the opportunity to invest in companies making significant developments. 

Beyond the camp, the broader South African landscape during the 1980s was rife with challenges. The nation wrestled with the grim realities of apartheid, a divisive racial policy. Anti-apartheid sentiments grew, leading to clashes between protesters and government forces. This period saw increased tensions in townships, particularly those with a black majority, punctuated by uprisings, internal conflicts and a spike in crime.

Musk and his brother routinely faced the chilling aftereffects of the unrest. Machine-gun attacks and knife-related homicides were alarmingly regular, leading them to encounter tragic scenes and grim reminders of the volatile environment they inhabited.

Musk's upbringing in South Africa equipped him with resilience and an ability to navigate challenges. Upon completing high school at 17, he left for Canada to attend college, marking a significant shift in his life's direction.

Transitioning to North America opened doors for Musk, and he began to capitalize on opportunities with a forward-focused mindset. His strategic moves and innovative thinking not only allowed him to create groundbreaking companies like Tesla and SpaceX but also positioned him to become one of the wealthiest men in the world. 

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