Black tax: the debate between family and personal welfare

The term black tax is commonly used in South Africa. It refers to the obligation carried by the eldest child to provide financial support for the rest of the family after obtaining a degree or job. Some see it as a form of Ubuntu, whilst others experience it as a burden. 

There is a colloquial Zulu phrase, sisibenzela e jar’deni, meaning, “we do not only work for ourselves, but for our families too.” Many argue that this saying stretches to an educational perspective when family members obtain a degree, as they are not only studying to create a life for themselves but the community as well. However, questions arise as to whether this practice benefits only the receivers and not the givers. 

In the book Black tax, Ubuntu or burden?, Niq Mhlongo writes about the complex and sensitive nature of black tax in the African community. Mhlongo acknowledges that as an ideological concept, the black family constantly changes to accommodate new economic, political, and social realities and opportunities.

According to Mhlongo, apartheid was seen as a system that socially engineered black poverty and loss of land for black people, meaning that some could not build generational wealth. In essence, although a black person may receive the same salary as any other counterpart, they have a greater financial responsibility. They might still be trapped in poverty due to the inequality of the apartheid system.

How students understand black tax. VIDEO: Ané Janse van Rensburg and Ziyaad Cassim

Lesiba Tumishang Leta, a lecturer at the North-West University’s (NWU) Vanderbijlpark campus with expertise in African history, explained the rich history from which the concept of black tax is rooted. Leta explains the term as being more recent, the term “black” referring to a way of living.

According to Leta, the black culture has always been one of “togetherness”, where caring for the whole community as if it is one’s own family is not a new phenomenon but a way of living. “It takes a village. Black people lived as a village, a group of relatives and they were always interconnected and interdependent. Black people have always been communal in their societal structures.”

What is black tax? VIDEO: Ané Janse van Rensburg and Ziyaad Cassim

When looking at black tax from both a historical and financial point of view, Leta refers to another term, “hut tax”. According to migrant labour structures, it was expected of African males to leave their families to go work in urban areas and send money home. “They had to send money back home to make sure that their families were well off.” 

Leta said that this created a gap in society regarding a sense of “fatherlessness” in the black community. The association between “hut tax” and black tax finds its origin in this notion, as money was sent home by a working male family member to the families.

Lilitha Bodlani (30), NWU alumnus and digital producer for East Coast Radio, said that black tax may only be limited in its capacity, depending on the individual’s financial situation or income. 

Bodlani, who supports his parents through black tax, argued that black tax is not an important part of Ubuntu, as he only supports his parents through his income and not any other family or community members. However, Bodlani highlighted that black tax is contextual, as it may sometimes have an “overflowing” effect. 

“If you feel that you have got the financial means to support your community, go for it. If your community made you who you are and contributed to your life, then yes, you need to give back somewhat to your community,” said Bodlani.

Mveledzo Mathivha (23), a final-year LLB student at the NWU, views black tax as a financial support system for family members who the individual may be close to, as well as an attempt to elevate your community.

Mathivha said that black tax contributes to Ubuntu in the sense that “when I make it out, I want to make sure that my people are also taken care of”. He added that black tax could serve as both a personal and public gaining tool, as one gains respect from the community whilst also helping others. “I may not be gaining financially, but I am gaining the community’s respect.”

Naomi du Plessis, a communications lecturer at the NWU Vaal campus, said that black tax usually occurs when the eldest child from a black family either gets employed or receives further education and is expected to give a portion of their salary to financially assist the rest of the family. “This is not a fixed rule, as the concept of black tax has multiple interconnected variables that affect the way in which black tax is implemented.” She also said that some of these variables include cultures, family practices, rules, and financial situations. 

Du Plessis mentioned that in some cases, students are expected to give a portion of their National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) grant to support their families. Her experience with how students send money back to their families is shocking. Du Plessis said that some students are left with as little as R200 to live off for an entire month after sending money home. “One student of mine lived entirely off Corn Flakes and long-life milk nearly every month, eating it for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day.”

While some family and community members may exploit, misuse and abuse this disposition to share, for other black graduates, black tax remains a positive cultural value, despite the struggles involved.

Although many people view black tax as a cultural responsibility and honour, others view it as a nuisance and disposition that allows family members to exploit this newfound source of income. 

Alfonso Nqunjana (24), a journalist at News24, said that only his dad’s side of the family partakes in black tax, while his mother’s side does not. “They are constantly reminding me about how they helped me grow and asking when I am starting to work so that I can start feeding them, as well as when I am getting them a house,” said Nqunjana. 

Saabir Khan (27), a third-year psychology student at NWU, said, “black tax is in my opinion, still a choice, but in my culture, looking after family is not one.”

Leta said, “this just goes to show how, over time, technological improvements, societal advancements and economic changes have given shape to a legitimate cultural practice that has solidified relations amongst people”. Leta said that this practice has perhaps become a tax for this generation of young people because the true essence of their culture has been lost through the establishment of a more modern way of living. – By Ziyaad Cassim and Ané Janse van Rensburg