Linda Ximba
Growing up in the rural village of Nqamakwe in the Eastern Cape, football referee Akhona Makalima never pictured herself in a job which allowed her to travel the continent.
The leading female referee, fondly known as Sheref, tells Scrolla.Africa that it was her passion and drive to play football that led her to the profession she has followed since 2014.
Makalima is about to make her maiden appearance at the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Awcon) kicking off in Morocco this weekend.
On being selected as the only local referee amongst 40 from around the continent for the tournament, Makalima said she was beyond excited.
“It’s a great feeling if you consider where I come from. In my village the kids and the older people are passionate about rugby. I chose football because I initially wanted to be a pro player. It didn’t happen but I am grateful to God for paving this path for me.”
The 30-year-old ref said she was introduced to the profession after hearing about a Safa initiative to recruit women referees to run the line in 2011.
“I worked hard by making a mark at lower ranks and eventually got recommended to SAB and later ABC Motsepe games and eventually the DStv Premiership.”
After finishing work in Morocco she will be hoping to make the cut and officiate at the Fifa Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica.
“That would be a huge achievement for me,” she declared.
She has already officiated at the CAF 2021 U20 Men’s Africa Cup of Nations in Mauritania.
Makalima won the Estée Lauder Style Star of the Year Award at the Momentum GSport Awards last year.
She also recently returned from the Toulon Youth Festival in France where she was entrusted with the South American derby between Argentina and Panama.
“It was a tough match to handle,” she said.
Image source: @IOL
