In the latest edition of Negotiating Behind The Scenes, former Orlando Pirates player Solomon Mathe reveals how he had no choice but to accept an R8000 salary over a R20 000 offer.
Mathe says it is hard being a development player in South Africa as you are always forced to accept the standard salary.
Who I signed for?
"I signed for Orlando Pirates. It was during the pre-season. And remember I was coming back from my loan stint at Platinum Stars. Immediately, I got promoted, I was sent straight to Platinum Stars on loan.
"My five-year contract was only discussed when I came back from loan.
"Stars tried to convince me not to go back to Pirates, they promised me a three-year deal if I didn't go back to Pirates but it was impossible, because I belonged to them."
How did you find out?
"I was at home relaxing when I received a call from Augusto Palacios. He informed me that Irvin Khoza wanted to see me at Parktown."
Where did you meet?
"In Parktown. That day I had to wait for more than three hours at the reception before the chairman could see me. I
"n the meantime, I was supplied with a lot of biscuits and tea."
Who was there?
"Eventually my turn to see the chairman came. And there he was watching the Shabir Shaik case on TV. His eyes were fully glued to the TV screen.
"He only gave me attention after 10 minutes. He then told the club's financial manager, I'm giving this one R8500.00 a month (laughs), and that was gross.
"And he said to me, you are still young so you don't need a signing-on fee. I was 22 years old at the time.
"He then gave me R1000 in cash and told me it was for my lunch. He also asked me to tell my mom to come see him at his office. I was so excited. The following day my mom did go and see him, and the chairman gave her some cash also."
What surprised you?
"I expected to get a better offer, a better money than the normal R6500 that is usually paid to players that were promoted from the club's development.
"Mine was paid R8000. I could have received R20,000 at Silver Stars if I stayed there.
"But I accepted the Pirates deal because it included education, they promised to pay for my studies."
Did you get what you wanted?
"Yes, they did pay for my studies, Pirates."
Did you see out the contract?
"I stayed two seasons only and got sold to Platinum Stars, that was after I envied Katlego Mashego's brand new car.
"Imagine he was at Platinum Stars and I was at Pirates but he earned more than me. My last salary at Pirates was R10 000."
What you would change?
"I would change the salary that clubs are paying players who are from their development. A happy employee will always give you a good performance.
"I feel Pirates underpaid me. What I was earning was very little. I was only able to buy my first car at Platinum Stars. And in less than a year I bought a house. How long was it going to take me to get all those things if I stayed at Pirates?"