In this edition of My First Pay Cheque, KickOff talks money matters with former Santos and Mamelodi Sundowns centre-back Wayne Arendse as he reveals his first-ever salary in football.
After he began his professional football career at Santos, the lanky former defender went on to achieve great things at Sundowns, where he ended up with a CAF Champions League medal.
Who did you sign for?
"I got my first pay cheque after signing with Santos' feeder team Mitchell's Plain United. We were campaigning in the Vodacom League.
"I was in Grade 10 at the time."
How much was it?
"I think it was R750. Imagine that [amount] when you are still at school [laughs]. I think that was around in 2010.
"At school, I was the king of the tuckshop. You are in Grade 10 you are earning R750 and your mother and father are taking care of you. It was nice. Just like the teachers, I got paid every month.
"That was also the time I got my first bank card, and my mother encouraged me to put some of the money into an Old Mutual account.
"So, ja, that was my first pay cheque."
How did you celebrate?
"At the school tuckshop, I was buying chips, I was buying drinks and all that. I was in Grade 10 and I was still enjoying life."
What did I buy with it?
"For myself, the first thing I bought was a pair of Jordaan tekkies. The Basketball legend Michael Jordaan was a very big thing back then, you know. He was very popular. And I had to laybuy them still.
"I remember they cost about R1000 a pair. I had to wait for two months."
Did it last you the full month?
"I think it lasted for, like, a week because my mother said I should put some of it in the Old Mutual account."