Former Orlando Pirates, Bidvest Wits and SuperSport United star Daine Klate says he could have been an accountant had he not pursued a professional career in football.
Klate, a well-known figure in the South African football fraternity and one of the most decorated players in the history of the Premier Soccer League (PSL), is now one of the Nedbank Cup ambassadors alongside Teko Modise, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Stanton Fredericks and former coach Pitso Mosimane – working in partnership with the bank to help educate the nation about the importance of making decisions that will benefit their futures.
Nedbank and Klate are seemingly a match made in heaven, as the former star always had an interest in finances.
“In high school I had a key interest in accounting,” Klate said.
“I would have probably become an accountant like two of my childhood friends. I had a passion for that, and I was studying bookkeeping as well. Maybe I will go back one day and get my degree. I was good at it.”
That’s probably why the former speedy winger turned out to be savvy with his finances during his playing days, although he admits making a few mistakes.
“I started earning my own money at a very young age, so of course I was bound to make mistakes,” Klate added.
“When I signed for SuperSport, there were a lot of young players like me, Richard Rantjie, Sibusiso Khumalo and Siboniso Gaxa. We were all new to earning money. The most important lesson coach Mosimane taught us was to invest in ourselves.”
“I know better now. When it comes to property investment for example, I now know it’s not just about buying property. I paid R470 000 for my first apartment and in hindsight, I should have probably kept it.
“If I were to sell it now, it would have been worth about R1,4 million. I am wiser now in that regard. I also believed in living in the now. You want a fancy car and a nice house now. But there’s a thin line between doing it now and saving for the future.”
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