In this edition of My First PayCheque, KickOff catches up with former Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United player Japie Motale.
Mamelodi-born Motale reveals how he utilised his salary to purchase a bucket of KFC, which he shared with all his classmates.
KickOff: Who did you sign for?
Japie Motale: "The Mamelodi Sundowns first team. I came from their development. I was 16 years old at the time."
KickOff: How much was it?
Japie Motale: "R500. I was still in high school, so obviously, it seemed like a lot in those days. Can you imagine being a school kid and earning R500 every month?"
KickOff: How did you celebrate?
Japie Motale: "In those days, we were paid by cheques. So, I had to cash mine at Absa Bank. I wasn't that excited because I had already experienced how it felt to receive your own money. Remember, I had already played in the Cosafa Under 17 tournament for South Africa, and Trott Moloto was our coach. After that tournament, we were each paid R2500 in cash by SAFA.
Sundowns promoted me straight to the first team after I finished playing in that tournament. To celebrate that R500... I remember leaving school early that day, and we were given a day off at Sundowns.
There was no training. I recall buying a barrel at KFC for the whole classroom. People ate well that day in my class (laughs)."
KickOff: What did you buy with it?
Japie Motale: "I bought Nike sneakers and a few things like CDs at Musica. In those days, music was big in South Africa. Owning an original CD, not a fake one, was very cool."
KickOff: Did it last you the full month?
Japie Motale: "At least it tried to sustain me for a couple of days. It changed my life at school. Now, I was no longer carrying a lunchbox or receiving R10 pocket money; I was carrying a R50 note."