In this edition of My First Pay Cheque, KickOff catches up with former Ajax Cape Town and Bidvest Wits striker Sifiso Vilakazi.
The former Free State Stars centre-forward shares the first thing he bought with his first salary in professional football.
Who did you sign for?
"I signed for Free State Stars in 2005. I came from Winners Park in Limpopo."
How much was it?
"It was R4000. That was a lot of money back in 2005."
How did you celebrate your first pay cheque?
"Remember, those were the days when fashionable clothing was a big deal, so I went straight to Spitz to buy myself a pair of Carvela shoes. They cost me around R900, which was a significant portion of my salary."
Did the salary last you for the whole month?
"Yes, it did. R4000 was a substantial amount back then, and things were not as expensive as they are now. During those days, allowances for girlfriends didn't exist."
Are you happy with what you've earned in football throughout your career?
"Yes, I think it was fair. It covered all my needs at the time. I have no regrets. There is money in football if you know what you want."
What was the highest amount you earned in your football career?
"[Laughs] It was between R80,000 and R90,000 a month."
Would you advise a youngster to pursue football as a career?
"Of course, football can provide for your family."
Then why did you refuse to go overseas where you could have made more money?
"It was just a childish decision. I remember I was still with Ajax Cape Town and supposed to go to Belgium. I thought I wouldn't survive outside South Africa. I could have done well in Belgium."