Elsa Majimbo’s speech ignites debate over ‘black tax’

“Sending money home or to family is a common practice in Africa that I really hate,” Elsa Majimbo, an influencer from Kenya, said earlier this month in a now-deleted TikTok post that sparked a fierce debate on social media.

The 23-year-old, who rose to fame during the covid pandemic with her comedy videos, made headlines when she discussed the so-called “black tax” with her 1.8 million followers.

This is when black Africans who achieve a modicum of success, whether at home or abroad, find themselves having to provide for less well-off family members.

Giving back is considered an intrinsic part of the African philosophy of Ubuntu, which emphasizes the importance of family and community over the individual.

The question for many is whether this is an unnecessary and unwanted burden or part of the community’s obligation to help others.

But Ms Majimbo, who now lives in the United States, is protesting the move.

In the video, she says her father has supported extended family members for years and now they are coming to her for help. She takes out her anger on an unnamed relative.

“You’ve been asking my dad for money since before I was born. I was born, raised, and raised, and now you’re asking me for money – you lazy bastard. [expletive]. I don’t feed your habits.”

While some agreed, others disagreed with her stance. It is unclear why the video was removed from TikTok and Ms Majimbo’s management team declined the BBC’s request for comment.

But for many people, no matter what they think, they cannot refuse to help their relatives because of the sense of community in which they grew up.

There can be a sense of pride in helping to care for the family even though it can sometimes become overwhelming.

A former teacher in Zimbabwe in her 50s, who asked to remain anonymous, told the BBC that 30 years ago, almost all of her first pay cheque of 380 Zimbabwean dollars went straight to her nine siblings.

“After I bought it [school] uniform, clothes and groceries, I had $20 left,” she told the BBC, her voice both honored and annoyed.

Although this meant she had to buy food on credit, she said that as the eldest child she was expected to hand over cash as soon as she started earning money.

Her salary belongs not only to her but also to her family.

When she married, her responsibilities expanded even further. At one point, she had to borrow money to pay her brother-in-law’s tuition after having her pocket picked while she was depositing a check at the bank. It took her two years to pay it off.

Sandra Ajalo, a 28-year-old hairstylist in Uganda, is grateful for the help her family received when she was a child.

Ms. Ajalo and her three siblings were raised by a single mother and relatives who helped her with many things, from paying school fees, shopping for food and even medical expenses.

“It’s not a burden, it’s a mutual help,” she told the BBC.

But when she watched Majimbo’s video, she understood why the social media star did it, especially since the Ugandan girl is now able to help other family members.

“This can be stressful, this can be frustrating, but we need it. No one is an island. We have to help each other in any way we can.”

Dr. Chipo Dendere, associate professor of African studies at Wellesley College in the United States, argues that the need for “black taxes” stems from colonialism.

The oppressive system concentrated resources in the hands of the colonial government or a minority of settlers, making it impossible for the majority to accumulate wealth.

This “left many black families without inheritance,” Professor Dendere said.

In many cases, after independence, instead of being reversed, inequality recurred.

Dr Dendere added that paying “black taxes” can often become a “never-ending vicious cycle” as the money sent to relatives often only fills the gap temporarily and then swells again.

Another factor is that, unlike wealthier countries, many African countries cannot afford health care beyond basic needs, decent pensions or school fees, so the wealthiest members of the family have to pay for these costs, Dr. Dendere said.

“There is no state pension fund – we are the pension fund. Families are stepping in to do government work.

“We give because of Ubuntu. We are forced to take care of each other.”

According to the International Fund for Agricultural Development, by 2023 the amount of money sent home by African migrants will reach around $95bn (£72bn), almost the size of Kenya’s economy.

For Africans abroad, the pressure can be even greater because people expect more because they believe those abroad earn more money.

Gabe Mutseyekwa, 35, is a Zimbabwean man who has lived in Germany for more than five years. He was determined and told his family that he would stop sending monthly payments because it was preventing him from saving for his own future.

His family didn’t react well – but eventually they changed.

“They realized that I was alone and I needed to do something for myself,” he said.

At one point he was sending home around €2,000 ($2,200; £1,700) to cover a family emergency while he was still a student working part-time.

“There needs to be a balance between taking on this financial responsibility and your personal financial health,” he told the BBC.

Many people find that family members can feel entitled to your money, especially if that person is wealthy.

This particularly bothers former Nigerian footballer Mikel John Obi. Last year, he spoke about the “black tax” during an appearance on Rio Ferdinand presents the podcast.

“When you come from Africa, when you make money, it’s not your money. It’s not just your money. You have all your relatives, cousins, whatever you call them,” he said.

He added that relatives often had many children and expected him to take care of them.

While not everyone agreed with Elsa Majimbo’s complaint, it seems to have touched people’s hearts, especially the younger generation.

But Dr Dendere argues that unless Africa truly develops, “black taxes will persist”.

Additional reporting by Tony Vinyoh