Daine Klate is recognized as one of the country's most decorated players having made a name for himself at SuperSport United, Orlando Pirates and Bidvest Wits. But even the best players make mistakes when it comes to matters off the field according to Klate, who has made the transition into coaching.
Mistakes made along the way…
I have learnt a lot and made a lot of mistakes along the way. Even being a family man, you end up owning three houses at one time, which maybe you could have focused on one only. So maybe those are the kind of decisions that you talk about.
Another thing I always mention is living in the now, vs planning for the future because living now is important because tomorrow is not promised. So, do you enjoy it? Do you travel? Whatever you're making, do you live properly?
I would go on holidays with the family and those are the type of experiences that can't be bought again, so when you do those types of things, you feel like you are on the right path.
Living in the now, we all have dreams and aspirations and the minute you're able to afford what you really want in life, you tend to go after it. Not thinking, maybe I should have that when I'm 45 or 50 years old. Having a 10-year plan for such luxury and that's the lessons I learnt along the way.
Coach Pitso Mosimane's influence…
I started with coach Pitso from a very young age when I was taught good values about investing money from a very young age. I was able to have that and everybody makes mistakes along the way but I wouldn't be where I am now if I didn't go through the struggles and tribulations throughout my career and post my career, with that transition where you have to plan ahead for the transition. Everyone goes through difficult times and there's always a time to recover, there's a lot of examples that you can recover if you want to – but it's all about those small decisions that you make, that makes a big difference.
Are young players changing the narrative?
I think there is still a stigma that financial advisors want to take your money. I was in that boat at one stage where you've never met a financial advisor in your life and all of a sudden you get introduced to someone you barely know and all you think is that this guy wants to take my money. In that regard, it becomes a bit difficult.
