In this edition of My First Pay Cheque, a former SuperSport United left-midfielder reveals to KickOff how the now defunct club helped buy him his first bed.
The retired footballer Mafika Sibeko also explains the reason that led to him accepting a mere R4000 signing-on fee from SuperSport United.
Can you please tell us about your first pay cheque in football?
"I received my first pay cheque in football in 1999, at SuperSport. I was 17 years old at the time. I went straight to the first team after I was signed from my school team in Soweto. We were coached by Pitso Mosimane at that school, and I was spotted for SuperSport by the late Thomas Madigage. He was there to scout Sentjie Motlhajwa and Gerald Modabi, who were with the opposition school, but I left him no choice but to take me along. Those days there were no club academies and reserve teams."
How much was your first pay cheque at SuperSport United?
"My salary was R1000, and my signing-on fee was R4000. I realised after that I should have demanded more. But being from ekasi and not being exposed to transfer fees and stuff, I was just excited to have signed with a well-known club like SuperSport United. I was just excited to make a breakthrough in professional football.
"I should have at least asked for a R3000 salary and a R15 000 signing-on fee since I was from the amateur ranks."
How did you celebrate your first pay cheque?
"I gave my parents R2000 from the signing on fee, with the other R2000 I bought myself a bed and a radio, umgongo that cost me like R600. I think the bed cost me about R850. With the change, I bought myself some sneakers. I could now buy myself some cosmetics.
"The first pay cheque changed a lot in my life, I must say. I was now able to contribute at home every month's end. It gave me independence, I was no longer relying on my parents. I could open accounts and pay in instalments."
Did the first pay cheque last you the whole month?
"It did, I think what helped me was the fact that I was staying at the clubhouse and the club had forster parents at each clubhouse cooking for us."
Photo Credit : - Gallo Images
