In this edition of Where Are They Now, KickOff catches up with retired former Black Leopards left-back Eric Ramavhale.
Who am I?
"I grew up in Venda, Limpopo, in a place called Tshiswenda. It's the same area where the likes of Luvhengo Mungomeni and Joel Masutha come from.
"My football journey began at Tshisendwa Liverpool, which was my first team. In the professional ranks, my first team was Peter Rabali's Dynamos. When Pat Malabela bought the team's status, I was part of the deal.
"I retired at Santos after realizing my legs could no longer carry me. That was in 2010, and right now I'm 46 years old."
Your playing days?
"There was a lot I wanted to achieve, like winning the league and playing in the World Cup. But I have no regrets when it comes to domestic football; I reached my goals."
Did you make money from soccer?
"Yes, I did. I started getting paid while I was in Grade 10, earning more than my school teachers. That was around the year 2000."
Where are you living?
"I'm currently in Thohoyandou, near the stadium."
Your current job: how do you put food on the table?
"Right now, I'm giving back to the community. I have started a football team for grannies here in Limpopo. To support myself, I do piece jobs at Progressive School, helping them on Fridays. I'm also training an SAB (League) team, and we are currently number one on the log table."
Are there other jobs you've done since you stopped playing?
"I have done farming, planting pumpkins, cabbages, and even chilies. These days, I'm involved in livestock farming, selling 'Venda chickens,' which are the hardier chickens because the white chickens struggle to survive in the heat here. They die instantly because of the hot weather. It's hot in Venda, and those chickens don't thrive."
If you could do it again?
"I would go where there is better development and start my career there."