In this edition of My First Pay Cheque, former Maritzburg United center-forward Mohau Mokate talks about how he got 50% of his first salary in professional football to spend as he liked.
The 32-year-old reveals how much he earned when he first started out at Maritzburg United in 2014.
Who did I sign for?
"I received my first pay cheque at Maritzburg in 2014. I was from Orbit College.
"There were trials at Maritzburg United, I still remember there were more than 1000 people who had come to try their luck.
"Luckily enough, I managed to impress the coaches. Steve Komphela was the one in charge of Maritzburg United at the time."
How much was it?
"It was R27 000. I signed for two years, plus one-year option."
How did I celebrate?
"Because at the time I didn't have a bank account, I was paid, like, in cash. I gave half of the salary to my mom.
"He advised me to use the rest to get my place, buy groceries, and so on.
"So, I can't say I celebrated my first pay cheque, but the 50% that my mother gave me was enough for me.
"I come from a small town in the North West Province, so everyone knows me and everyone was happy that finally there was someone from our town playing Premier Soccer League football, so my family members couldn't let me go out. I had just come for a weekend."
What did I buy with it?
"I bought a lot. I had to rent my place and furnish it. I bought clothes, sneakers. With soccer boots, I was not struggling."
Did it last me the whole month?
"It did last. It was my first time getting a pay cheque, I had never worked anywhere before that.
"Those days I was not so much into girls and stuff. I was focused. So, there were no girlfriend allowance stuff."