In this edition of My First Pay Cheque, KickOff catches up with former Bush Bucks and Mamelodi Sundowns defender Luvhengo Mngomeni on his beginnings in the professional game.
In the 2012/13 Premier Soccer League season Mungomeni won the MTN8 Cup with Moroka Swallows.
Who you signed for?
"I signed for Bush Bucks in 2005. I was from a Vodacom League team back home."
How much was it?
"My first pay cheque was R6800. The money was okay because I was still in high school. I was still doing my grade 12.
"I was also playing for the Under-20 and the Under-23 national teams.
"Current players when they get a professional contract, they want to quit school. I was doing grade 12 here in Venda and Bush Bucks was based in the Eastern Cape.
"I had to join the club that side and come back for exams at the end of the year. After my exams, I got a call-up from the national Under-23s.
"I couldn't write two of my subjects. I had to go to camp."
How I celebrated?
"I received a notify me a message on my phone and imagine I'm from the villages in Limpopo and this happens when I'm far in the Eastern Cape.
"That time I'm staying in a flat and I'm a young boy, you get a lot of money, and you don't know what you are going to do with it.
"I ended up sending some home because, at Bush Bucks, we were getting everything, food and accommodation.
"When I joined Bush Bucks, I was with James Chamanga from Zambia. So, we were even sharing a flat.
"I went to shops and bought clothes. I bought Nike clothes. I think I spent half of that money buying clothes."
Did it last you the full month?
"I had no girlfriend then. I was focused on making my life better. I was very young. I would turn down the guys each time they wanted us to go out.
"That time I'd spend R1500 on groceries. Sometimes Ninja [Gabriel Mofokeng] would pick me up for training.
"Remember Ninja was from Joburg and I'm from Limpopo."