In this edition of My First Pay Cheque, KickOff catches up with former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Sandile Zuke who reveals how he spent his first salary as a professional footballer.
The 36-year-old retired midfielder is currently in the process of acquiring his CAF C License qualifications.
Who you signed for?
"Kaizer Chiefs. It was back in 2007. I was promoted from their development side.
"I remember I was very excited but also a bit scared at the same time.
"Scared, because I couldn't believe my dream was coming true. I was asking myself many questions about how I would perform once there.
"How am I going to be welcomed.
"I've been seeing these guys on TV and now I'm going to be sharing a dressing room with them.
"That alone was scary for a young boy."
How much was it?
"It was R6 000 I still remember it well. Those days it was more than enough.
"I didn't have a phone at the time, so I just went straight to the ATM to withdraw it after we were told our monies have been paid."
How I celebrated?
"I just sent the money home to my mother. That's how I celebrated.
"I think I sent about R4 000 as soon as I was paid. I kept R2 000 for myself. I did that because I knew the situation at home wasn't good.
"I wanted to make my mom happy. I needed to make my mother happy."
What I bought with it?
"I went straight to Mr Price and bought myself a T-shirt I've been admiring for months.
"I remember very well the T-shirt was R500. I couldn't afford it with my development contract because there we were only paid an allowance fee.
"It was a beautiful T-shirt. I desperately wanted to own one after seeing somebody wearing it.
"After buying it I went straight to the shop's fitting room and put it on same time [laughs].
"I was still at school then, the Kaizer Chiefs development teams were housed at a boarding school at St. Barnabas."
Did it last you the full month?
"It actually did because in boarding school you get food and everything for free. I just had to buy myself cereals and snacks.
"And I could call home more often because I could afford some airtime. That was nice."