12:57
In this edition of My First Pay Cheque, KickOff speaks to former Bafana Bafana international Teboho Mokoena.
The former Jomo Cosmos and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder remembers the day he received his first-ever pay cheque in football.
Who did you sign for?
"Witbank Aces."
How much was it?
"It was R500, Witbank Aces owner Veli Mahlangu took it out of his car boot. That was in 1996.
"There were no contract and salary negotiations, I only became aware of how much I was earning on payday when Veli Mahlangu handed me a white envelope that had R500 inside. He just said to me, 'Thatha msana'.
"I was still at school doing Standard 9 back then."
How did you celebrate it?
"I was the richest kid at our school. That R500 was a lot, man. I bought amakota, cold drinks and all the nice food that was available at school for all my friends. I had no time for a girlfriend allowance, I only looked out for amajita I used to play with at amateur level."
What did you buy for yourself?
"I bought myself a new school uniform, a shirt, my school trouser had lost its original color, so they had to be replaced, and also a pair of Umbro takkies that cost me about R60. Eish, that was a lot of money during those days."
Did it last you the whole month the salary?
"It eventually ran out, but fortunately, I was not paying for transport to training. The team bus fetched me from home for training sessions."