AmaZulu midfielder Makhehleni Makhaula has raised his voice about the challenges of dealing with the burden of 'black tax', as he seeks to make a success from the earnings of his football career.
So touched about the subject of black tax, Makhaula feels if spoken about instead of being secretive then there would a lot more understanding of how much most players go through in helping their extended families.
With sharing so much of your income with family, it then leaves little to save or invest for the future.
"Black tax is real, and I know it because I have first-hand experience," Makhaula tells snl24.com/kickoff.
Makhuala was a top performer at Usuthu this past season and is now spending the off-season back home on the West Rand in Gauteng.
"I grew up in a poor family where no one was working and with the house not in good condition. So, the first thing that I had to do upon getting an income was to fix the house.
"In that regard it takes time for most of us black guys to ultimately start having our own properties. I don't have my own house yet, but at least I have a decent room to use whenever I am home because I have helped upgrade the house.
"The first point of call for me was to renovate the family house before I could do my own things. I am sure you know that, as the breadwinner in the family house, I have to even buy groceries every month, pay the satellite dish and help my sibling with job applications in the mines.
"Whenever I get paid every month, I must look out for the mouths of so many people in the family, plus I have my wife and child to look out for as well. After that, I still must look out for myself – where I stay, along with paying medical aid and life covers.
"Considering where I have come from, I have tried my best to manage this situation with regards to family. I even sat them down at one point to make them aware of what it is that I can do and what I cannot.
"I told them straight up in their faces that they also need to wake up and look for jobs, instead of just having to wait for me to provide all the time."