The clock has ticked all the way to 20 years since Thomas Sweswe signed his first contract in the PSL yet he still vivid memories about his earnings from the deal.
Sweswe signed for Manning Rangers back in 2004, before turning 23.
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That season at Rangers was a rough ride with the Durban club getting relegated before they declared bankruptcy and were subsequently sold and renamed Fidentia Rangers.
"Manning Rangers had seen Dazzy Kapenya playing for Zimbabwe at the 2004 AFCON finals, so after they asked him to come over, I tagged along for trials at the recommendation of my parent club Sporting Lions," recalls Sweswe, who went on to play for Kaizer Chiefs, BidVest Wits and Black Leopards.
"My profile was good because I had been on loan at one of the big clubs back home, Highlanders, so it all made sense.
"After a week of trials, Rangers said they are signing me, so my loan at Highlanders was terminated, and I came to Durban right away.
"I have no idea what fees were paid for my transfer, but what was exciting for me was that I signed a four-year contract for Rangers, aged 22.
"The money at Rangers was little but was far much better than the remuneration that I had been getting at home back then.
"I earned that R8000 gross playing in the PSL at Rangers back in 2004 and that was a lot for money for me compared to what I was getting at home.
"After tax, I would have about R6500-R7000, which was still fair despite not being a lot of money.
"There was no signing-on fee for me, but my accommodation was paid by the club and my salary was guaranteed, so it felt like a good deal for me.
"I didn't have massive responsibilities at the time, so what I wanted was just the chance in a new club.
"Being at Rangers was less about the money but embracing the opportunity and marketing myself for bigger opportunities.
"Unfortunately, we then went on to get relegated in my first season after we lost in the Play-Offs.
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"Once relegated, we were told that the contracts that we signed were only valid for the top league and we would have to take 50% salary cuts to play in the First Division.
"For me, it didn't make sense to take a salary cut when I was earning R8000 gross, which I got to realise wasn't much, so I terminated.
"I then joined Dynamos back home and they paid better than what Rangers were proposing," says Sweswe.