For many years, black tax has been a reality for families across Africa. However, its impact on young professionals remains largely unspoken in many households. While financial support within families is a cultural expectation, the emotional and economic toll it takes on the youth is often overlooked.
In an interview with Confidente, Natalia Lucas (29), a recent graduate, shares how being the sole breadwinner in a family of six has affected her mental health, finances, and emotional well-being.
Lucas describes her mornings as tough and draining, often filled with anxiety. Before she can even think about securing her own future, she must first ensure her family’s immediate needs are met. “It’s very hard being the only breadwinner at home. I have to send at least N$6,000 home every month for my mother and my five siblings,” she explains. However, the money is often not enough. “Three of my siblings are in school, while the other two are in varsity, and they all rely on me for financial assistance,” she adds.
The strain goes beyond just financial pressure. Natalia frequently receives calls from her mother and sometimes cousins, saying the money was not enough for food and school expenses. “I end up dipping into my savings just to cover emergencies,” she says, her voice heavy with frustration.
For many like Natalia, the stress associated with black tax is something they must endure in silence. Seeking help is often seen as a sign of weakness, and speaking up can lead to criticism from relatives and the wider community. “If you try to explain that you’re struggling, you’re labelled ungrateful as if you’re refusing to take care of the very people who raised you,” Natalia says.
The weight of these expectations leaves many young professionals feeling trapped. “Sometimes, I ask myself if it’s even worth the effort. You send money on the 30th or 31st, and by the 15th or 20th, they’re already calling, saying there’s no food, forgetting that life in Windhoek is hard enough,” she sighs.
Black tax is deeply rooted in African culture, often seen as a necessary way to uplift families from financial hardship. However, as the cost of living rises and job opportunities remain limited, the burden on young professionals is growing heavier. Financial experts suggest that open conversations about financial planning, boundaries, and alternative forms of support could help ease this pressure.
According to a 2022 report by Standard Bank, many young professionals in Africa are finding themselves increasingly burdened by familial financial responsibilities. Furthermore, studies have shown that nearly 60% of young adults in Sub-Saharan Africa face financial obligations to support extended family members, with many saying it significantly impacts their ability to save or invest in their own futures.
Namibia Science of Technology (NUST) Lecturer, Development Economist, and Policy Analyst Precious Mwikanda explains that black tax can cause financial stagnation, limiting young professionals to save or invest. “Your goal of financial stability is eroded and you end up remaining the same person you have always been before. So it’s really a financial dream killer, though done for good motives,” she says.
For recent graduates who secure jobs and immediately find themselves financially responsible for their family’s financial needs, black tax can lead to extreme financial distress. “It can cause you financial stress, not because you don’t enjoy handing out this tax, but your emotional state gets disturbed, because of the constant worry of not building on your financial wealth,” she adds. Adding that this pressure has led to many breadwinners having psychological and health challenges, especially for some who are really pressed hard.
For young professionals to be strategic and be able to balance supporting families while securing their future, Mwikanda emphasizes the importance of financial discipline, suggesting a structured financial plan of using the 30% principle. “10% for tithe, you may add offering too, any amount you want to give for thanking God for the income, why? Because everything that we own is from God and he requires us to return the 10th, the other 10% you save and the last 10% is the one you can give to family members and ensure that anyone you want to help fits in that 10%,” she emphasized. Adding that, “If the 10% can’t help many or all who look to you for assistance, don’t feel bad. You are doing your best,” she said, advising and encouraging young professionals to stay committed to their financial goals.
Another approach she suggests is an Ubuntu-based model, where instead of supporting multiple family members at once, young professionals can commit to mentoring and financially assisting one child from their extended family. “You don’t need to bring the child to stay with you. Instead, you can support them from a distance, ensuring they receive both financial help and mentorship,” she explained. This approach ensures that over time, more people in the family become self-sufficient, reducing dependency.
One of the biggest struggles for young professionals dealing with black tax is setting financial boundaries without being labelled as ungrateful. According to Mwikanda, discipline in financial planning and adopting structured support strategies like the 30-10-10 rule or the Ubuntu model can help alleviate feelings of guilt.
She highlights that in many developing countries, there are no social safety nets such as unemployment benefits or student allowances, which makes black tax an even heavier burden. However, she suggests community-driven solutions, such as village banking and group savings, to help raise funds for productive investments that can create jobs within communities.
“Governments could also step in by offering allowances to people engaged in community-based productivity,” she adds. This would encourage dependents to engage in income-generating activities rather than relying solely on financial support from working family members.
Mwikanda, who is also an entrepreneur, suggests that young professionals encourage their dependents to explore income-generating activities. “Identify a problem, find a product or service that solves it, and start selling. Direct selling, for instance, requires little to no capital but can create a source of income,” she explains. Encouraging family members that engaging in such activities can eventually reduce black tax dependency.
While Lucas continues to provide for her family, she, like many others, struggles to find a balance between cultural expectations and securing her own future. Her story is a reflection of a much larger issue, one that deserves more attention and open discussion in African households.
As black tax continues to shape the financial lives of many young professionals, solutions such as structured financial planning, community-driven initiatives, and financial literacy must be explored to ensure that future generations are empowered rather than burdened by the weight of responsibility.