Kenyan comedian Prof Hamo has sparked a conversation about how families across communities support their parents, questioning why financial assistance given to African parents is often referred to as “Black Tax.”
The discussion follows remarks in which Prof Hamo compared the expectations placed on African children with family-support practices among other communities.
‘When Indians Help Their Parents It’s Generational Wealth’
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In a post shared online, Prof Hamo argued that supporting parents should not automatically be viewed as a financial burden.
“When Indians live with their parents and help them, it’s called generational wealth,” he said.
He went on to mention other communities, saying that Arabs living in large family homes with their relatives is described as part of their culture, while Chinese people supporting their grandparents throughout their lifetime is similarly viewed positively.
However, he questioned why the narrative changes when Africans provide financial support to their parents.
“But when an African does the simplest thing, just sends money to the parents once a month, it’s suddenly BLACK TAX,” Prof Hamo stated.
He further connected the issue to the wider question of wealth creation and inheritance in Africa, arguing that families should be able to support one another without such assistance automatically being portrayed negatively.
His Comments Spark Debate Online
The remarks have generated mixed reactions on social media, with some agreeing that supporting parents should be seen as part of family responsibility rather than a burden.
One commenter argued that Indian parents are actually among those who support their children financially, while another simply encouraged people to continue supporting their parents.
“Let’s support our parents,” one user wrote, accompanied by heart emojis.
Others reacted with laughing emojis, showing that the topic also attracted lighter reactions from social media users.
The Debate Around ‘Black Tax’
The term “Black Tax” is commonly used in South Africa and other African contexts to describe financial responsibilities that working people may have towards their parents, siblings and extended family.
For some, the financial responsibility can affect their ability to save, invest or build personal wealth.
Others argue that supporting family members is an important part of African culture and social responsibility.
