Is Black Tax Holding You Back? Experts share strategies for balance
Image: Pexels
The concept of Black Tax is deeply ingrained in society, where individuals who achieve financial success frequently take on the duty of aiding their extended relatives, which can sometimes put their personal financial objectives at risk.
This financial obligation can cover numerous expenses, ranging from tuition fees to everyday living costs and utility bills. At times, the pressure of Black Tax can slow personal financial progress and hinder one's efforts to focus on long-term financial aspirations, like buying a house or planning for retirement.
Speaking to IOL, Boniswa Siwundla, a Senior Lecturer, Researcher in Family Financial Socialisation at the University of Johannesburg, said there are practical ways to deal with family members' requests without crippling your budget.
"The first step is awareness because knowing exactly what your financial landscape looks like, that is, what comes in, what goes out, and what you are being called to support, gives you something solid to work from. Mapping out a monthly plan that includes both personal goals and family support helps reduce guilt and allows you to act intentionally rather than reactively," she said.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Siwundla added that it's important for individuals to set firm and realistic commitments on both fronts without jeopardising their interests.
"Even if you're contributing to family expenses, your future deserves a line item, even if it's R100 a month. It is less about the amount and more about the habit. Small, automated savings build momentum," she said.
She added that helping out family members should be made part of the budget so that it doesn't come as a surprise every month because this creates visibility and structure and prevents overshadowing other priorities.
"This does not mean your personal goals are less important; it simply acknowledges your full reality and allows you to work within it, not against it."
Siwundla added that it's also important for individuals to be transparent and not make commitments they can't fulfill.
'I'm not able to give the full amount, but I can contribute something smaller this month' is one way to stay in a relationship without overextending yourself. The key is consistency. Boundaries are not just about what you cannot do; they are about creating stability so you can continue to show up in a way that can be maintained," she explained.
Even though the journey looks different for everyone, as a researcher, Siwundla said it was possible to carry the weight of Black Tax and still be successful.
"Many young people I've spoken to described learning to redefine what success means. For some, success is being able to support others and move forward at their own pace. It's not about perfection or comparison; it's about progress with integrity. It may take longer, but it is absolutely possible."
To assist individuals with their savings, Siwundla said they can use models like stokvels, or group savings plans, which can be powerful, especially when they have clear goals attached.
"For individual saving, tax-free savings accounts or beginner-friendly investment platforms with low fees can offer a starting point. It's less about picking the perfect product and more about building the habit of saving consistently."
In conclusion, Siwundla said financial habits are shaped long before people open bank accounts; they are shaped through what they observe, feel, and carry.
"Black Tax is part of that inheritance. While it can be heavy, it's also a reflection of love, care, and survival strategies passed down through generations. The goal, in my view, is not to escape it, but to respond to it with more clarity, intention, and balance," she said.
Meanwhile, Psychologist DR Nombusa Gama, posted on her TikTok account and explained that Black Tax is not an issue, the issue is people pleasing and lack of boundaries.
"Black Tax involves gaslighting, coercion, and manipulation...Your family members don't force you to go over and beyond for them, they just manipulate you and guilt trip you into believing that you are the only one that can save them, and you are selfish for saying no,'' she said.
Gama further explained that the desire to feel wanted and the fear of being labelled a bad person makes people to give in to demands from their family.
"Your yes enables their behaviour, you teach them that it's okay for them to expect you to bend backwards for them. You teach them to run to you as their saviour," she said.
According to Gama, buying your parents food and taking care of their basic needs, can't be classified as Black Tax, it's considered as being responsible.
"Some people talk about being coerced to build houses at home because they had job. They talk about taking loans to fund those projects because their family didn't listen when they explained that they don't have money. And in order to keep the peace, they took out loans and now they are drowning in debt because of those decisions," she said.
Evelinah Nkunah, 30, who works as a clerk, is the only one employed in her family. He salary feeds her two children, two siblings and her elderly mother back in Middleburg, Mpumalanga.
Nkuna works at a hospital in Gauteng and sends money to her family every month and she's also building her mom a house.
For Nkuna, it's not Black Tax, but she appreciates her mother and the sacrifices she made while raising her and her siblings.
"My father left us when we were young, my mom was unemployed. Instead of sitting and doing nothing, she went to Joburg and found a job as a maid. She visited us every month while we were staying with our grandmother and always made sure that we are fed and we had everything we needed for school. She made us her priority and because of that, she neglected herself and didn't even build herself a house
"She stopped working because of health issues and I can't neglect her because now I'm in a good position. Me building her a house is how I show my appreciation. Also, sending money every month is not an issue because she's taking care of my children, and my siblings are still trying to get jobs and I understand their position, unemployment is rife is South Africa," she said.
sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za
IOL News
Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
South African Lens: Pakistan's Divorce Laws Leave Women in Financial Limbo
As it stands, Pakistan follows a model where property remains separate unless jointly titled—regardless of a woman's unpaid contributions to the household or her support for her husband's career. This issue has been spotlighted in Pakistan's courts. Image: Supplied In many societies, divorce is not just a personal rupture but a financial reckoning — especially for women. This is starkly true in Pakistan, where the legal system fails to recognise a woman's right to marital property, often leaving divorced wives with little more than the clothes on their backs. For South Africans watching global gender justice trends, Pakistan's legal landscape raises urgent questions about how tradition, law and social norms can entrench inequality in the private sphere. Despite Islam's emphasis on justice and the protection of the vulnerable, Pakistani women who exit a marriage often do so without any claim to assets acquired during the relationship. This is because Pakistan does not currently have legislation that guarantees women a share in property accumulated while married. As it stands, the country follows a model where property remains separate unless jointly titled, regardless of a woman's unpaid contributions to the household or her support for her husband's career. This issue has been spotlighted in Pakistan's courts. The Lahore High Court recently instructed the federal government to consult on a proposed amendment to the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance of 1961. The amendment, initially brought forward by Senator Barrister Syed Ali Zafar, introduces terms such as 'matrimonial asset' and seeks to give women fairer recognition of their contributions. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The court's intervention may become a turning point, as public discourse grows around the injustice of women leaving long marriages with nothing, despite having raised children, run households and sacrificed careers. To understand the impact, it helps to look beyond Pakistan's borders. Countries such as Turkey, Malaysia and Morocco — Muslim-majority states like Pakistan—have adopted laws that balance Islamic principles with modern family realities. In Turkey, marital assets are presumed to be jointly owned unless otherwise agreed. Malaysia takes both financial and non-financial contributions into account when dividing property. Morocco's Family Code permits couples to decide beforehand how to share property, with the law recognising joint management during the marriage. These countries demonstrate that religious values and women's rights need not be in conflict. Legal frameworks can uphold the dignity and equality of both spouses, particularly when marriages dissolve. Currently, Pakistan's system mirrors what legal scholars call a pure separate property regime. Under this model, property belongs only to the person who earned or acquired it. There is no assumption that marriage creates an economic partnership, and courts generally require strict proof of ownership. This often disadvantages women who have worked in the home or made indirect contributions, as they lack titles or formal income records. South Africa, by contrast, provides multiple options when couples marry, including community of property, which assumes equal ownership of assets acquired during the marriage. This legal approach acknowledges that both spouses contribute to the financial foundation of the household, even if in different ways. South African courts, when dividing property, also take into account each partner's needs, contributions and the duration of the marriage. It is a system far more aligned with the complex social reality of marriage than Pakistan's outdated laws. The cost of inaction in Pakistan is high. Women who divorce often lose access to shelter and income. Even where they have invested years in managing the home or caring for children, the law offers no recourse. Many end up dependent on their families or feel pressured into remarriage for economic survival. This perpetuates gendered cycles of poverty and limits women's agency. Pakistan has ratified the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), which requires states to ensure equality in marriage and family relations, including property rights. CEDAW's guidance calls for equal access to marital assets. Other Muslim-majority countries have made strides toward compliance. Tunisia and Iran, for instance, have introduced property-sharing rules that acknowledge both partners' roles in a marriage. Pakistan, however, remains out of step. Legal reform is not only a technical matter. It is about recognising that women are equal partners in family life, deserving of financial security when that partnership ends. Amending the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance to define and protect matrimonial property would help courts provide more consistent, fair outcomes. It would also signal that Pakistan is serious about its commitments to gender equality, both to its citizens and the global community. For South Africans, watching this debate unfold is a chance to reflect on how far we have come and how far others still need to go. In a world where women's rights are constantly under pressure, the battle for fairness within the family is as important as any public policy reform. Pakistan stands at a fork in the road. One path leads to continued injustice and economic hardship for women. The other leads to fairness, dignity and the recognition of women's work — paid or unpaid—as valuable and deserving of protection. The choice, now, is in the hands of lawmakers.
IOL News
4 hours ago
- IOL News
Soaring demand make Cape Town and Durban investable logistics and industrial markets
Brackengate Business Park in Cape Town. Image: Supplied Cape Town and Durban have emerged as two of Africa's most investable logistics and industrial markets due to their resilience, adaptability and strong investor appeal, according to Cushman & Wakefield | BROLL. Cape Town continues to outperform, with rising rents and declining vacancies underpinned by a period of semigration, operational stability and constrained industrial land. 'Demand is being driven by a flight to quality, semigration from other provinces and growing e-commerce,' said Shane Howe, the head of Western Cape Industrial Broking at Cushman & Wakefield | BROLL. Strong governance and functioning infrastructure position the city as a low-risk node compared to Gauteng. 'The Cape market is supported by limited stock availability and escalating demand, especially for modern industrial parks,' said Howe. Development hotspots such as Brackengate and Richmond Park are expanding, while gentrification in older nodes like Epping and Parow unlock additional opportunity. 'Against this backdrop, investors and occupiers must thoroughly align busines Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ s strategy with location and asset selection to ensure long-term sustainability,' he said. In Durban, chronic land shortages and rising operational costs have created a landlord-favoured market. Anthon van Weers, Full Status Property Practitioner at Cushman & Wakefield | BROLL, said, 'There has been no meaningful release of flat, flood-free land in over a decade. Most viable land is tied up in Tongaat Hulett's portfolio and development remains stalled by topography and financial constraints." Vacancy rates are at historic lows. 'Units, especially mini-units and large distribution centres (DCs) are snapped up almost immediately,' said Van Weers. Triple net rentals for A-grade DCs currently range between R105/m²–R110/m² with further rental escalation likely if supply remains constrained. However, high municipal rates double that of Cape Town or Johannesburg deter some tenants. Still, Durban remains attractive to owners. 'Despite high costs, Durban is a low-risk investment market because of stable demand and long-term leases from logistics operators near the port. Proximity to port infrastructure offers a decisive cost advantage,' said Van Weers. Cushman & Wakefield's global data shows a 43% surge in logistics investment over the past decade, driven by urbanisation, e-commerce and supply chain reconfiguration. Globally, more than half of logistics markets are projected to experience rental growth through 2027, driven by strong occupier demand. South Africa is on the same path but with an added urgency due to land scarcity around key Cape Town nodes and the Durban port. Rental growth is accelerating in both cities, particularly in high-demand, low-supply zones, signalling a unique opportunity for climate-conscious and future-proof investment. According to Cushman & Wakefield's Climate Risk report, climate-resilient assets are now achieving stronger lease uptake and longer tenures, with facilities in lower-risk zones commanding higher rentals and lower incentives. Yet, many markets have ignored climate risk, leaving assets exposed and underscoring the need for smarter development. In addition, climate risk is now central to asset valuation and investment due diligence. From capital expenditure planning to leaseability and compliance, assets that embed mitigation strategies early attract stronger investor interest and pricing premiums. This is mirrored locally, with tenants, especially multinationals factoring in resilience, water security and energy independence when selecting sites. South Africa's Western Cape corridors and select Durban nodes are emerging as premium options, according to Cushman & Wakefield | BROLL. Global trends point to e-commerce, 3PLs (third-party logistics) and last-mile delivery as major sector drivers. E-commerce alone has surged 289% globally in the past decade and is now the leading demand driver in the Americas and EMEA regions (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa). Locally, the Western Cape's infrastructure, lifestyle appeal and political stability are reinforcing this trend. In Durban, mini-units and small-format warehouses measuring 100sqm to 500sqm are in high demand as small businesses shift from traditional retail to fulfilment-based industrial space. 'Some retailers are closing stores and shifting to warehouse models to meet online demand,' said Van Weers. 'Decentralised nodes like Cato Ridge, Shongweni and Tongaat, however, have struggled to gain traction due to high logistics costs.' BUSINESS REPORT
IOL News
9 hours ago
- IOL News
What 86% of customers are really telling you when they say they'll pay more for better service
Customers want speed, convenience, knowledge, consistency, and (quite importantly) a human touch. That's it, and that's what they're willing to pay more for. Image: Supplied. Research confirms that 86% of customers are willing to pay more for better service. But what does 'better' really mean, and why does better matter, even in a cost-conscious market like South Africa? The answer lies beyond the buzzwords to what people actually want. It's not flashy or full of hype. The reality is simple. Customers want speed, convenience, knowledge, consistency, and (quite importantly) a human touch. That's it, and that's what they're willing to pay more for. And yet, many businesses still get it wrong. They don't see customer experience as it actually is: the complete journey a customer takes when interacting with a company; from when they first discover the product or service all the way through to the support they receive after the purchase. When done right, it's an approach that keeps happy customers coming back, and ends up paying for itself. What better service looks like Most of us can remember a time we paid a little more for a service that just worked. A flight that ran smoothly, a helpdesk that didn't leave us hanging, or an online order that was simple and easy to complete. In those moments, what we're really paying for is the peace of mind that things will work the way we want them to. That's what a good customer experience does. It removes friction and gives people a reason to come back. Customers want to know that things won't become harder than they need to be, and this is true for resolving a fiber issue at home or insuring your car. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The truth is speed, convenience, knowledge, consistency, and a human touch have become very real expectations for great customer service. Issues need to be fixed fast, self-service portals need to work, staff and systems need to understand what customers need. Above all, service quality needs to feel the same on WhatsApp, phone, email, and – perhaps most importantly – when customers want to speak to another human who can listen and help. The real story behind 86% of customers willing to pay more for better service isn't extravagance. Customers are tired of fighting to get what they paid for. And they're comparing every service to the best they've experienced. Of course, businesses still compete on price, but they're also competing against seamless, tech-enabled experiences. Brands that get this right win on convenience, and they win on loyalty. Good CX grows your business When you deliver a seamless, empathetic experience, customers reward you. They stay. They spend more. They tell their friends. In a tough economy, this is essential to success. This is why companies need to use CX solutions designed to meet their customers' specific needs. To do that the solution needs to be built with local realities in mind. Ultimately, customer experience isn't a platform or a help desk upgrade. Rather, it's a company-wide mindset that uses the right people, tools and technology together. The businesses that succeed are the ones that see delivering a great customer experience as part of their brand. It's never an afterthought. The 86% of customers willing to pay more are really saying that they choose businesses that value their time, reduce their stress and give them reasons to come back. The question is how many brands are listening? Bruce von Maltitz, CEO of 1Stream. BUSINESS REPORT
