black tax The term Black Tax is often associated with professionals, entrepreneurs and those who are well off in their family circle and are generally expected to ease the ‘burden’ of their families.
Image: File.
This month is often a time to celebrate the potential, resilience and ambitions of South Africa's young people. But for many, it is also a reminder of the responsibilities they carry long before securing their first full-time job.
While black tax is commonly associated with young professionals supporting their families after entering the workforce, some South Africans begin carrying that burden much earlier — while they are still students.
A student at the Tshwane University of Technology says she has been helping to support her family since her first year of university, highlighting the financial pressures many young people face as they try to build a future for themselves while contributing to the wellbeing of those at home.
"I started sending money in my first year when I received funding. At first, it was occasional, sending money mid-month for bread and so on," she said.
What began as occasional assistance gradually became a regular expectation.
"It has turned into something that is expected of me. I feel this way because of the slight disappointment at times when I'm unable to send money home," she explained.
Her experience reflects a reality shared by many young South Africans: the pressure to contribute financially to their households, even while they are still pursuing their education.
For some, black tax is not a future concern waiting at the end of a degree. It is already part of everyday life.
The student says she carefully plans her spending each month to ensure she can send money home when needed.
"It has pushed me to buy necessities in bulk so that whenever I receive money each month, I am able to send a portion of it home," she further explained.
There have also been occasions when she has borrowed money from friends to assist her family, only to repay it later from her monthly allowance. The sacrifices extend beyond finances.
Asked how supporting her family has affected her personal life, she answered with a single word: "Compromise."
"There have been instances where I deny myself certain things or experiences so that I can send money home," she said.
Like many students, she faces the challenge of balancing academic expenses with daily living costs. Yet she says family needs often take priority.
"I haven't had much of a social life and often live my life between school and my room because my money has already been accounted for, which is to send it home."
According to the student, more than 20% of her monthly allowance goes towards helping her family.
The responsibility has also shaped how she views her future.
"It makes me feel scared for the future. Helping out is no longer an occasional thing but rather a monthly debit," she said.
As she prepares to enter the job market, she worries that the expectations placed on her income will only grow.
"This makes me worry about the future and how things will be once I start working. If the situation is progressively getting worse now, it's probably going to get a lot harder in future."
When asked what emotions she feels when family members ask for financial help, her answer was immediate.
"Disappointment and fear are what I feel most whenever I receive a message asking me to send money home," she said.
Her story highlights a side of Youth Month that is often overlooked. Behind the conversations about employment, education and opportunity are young people carrying responsibilities that extend beyond themselves.
For many, success is not only about achieving personal goals. It is also about helping families navigate financial hardship, often at the expense of their own wants and, sometimes, their own needs.
"I wish they understood that student funding is not a salary. With working-class people struggling to support themselves and their families in this economy, a student definitely should not be the person they turn to for financial assistance."
Reflecting on the challenges facing South Africa's youth, stories like hers reveal that, for some young people, the journey to adulthood includes more than lectures, exams and career plans. It also includes the weight of helping to keep a household afloat.
IOL