Having officiated in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) for a decade now, Eastern Cape-born referee Akhona Makalima believes she has changed the game and made a mark in the male-dominated sport.
The 34-year-old, from Engculu Village in Ngqamakhwe, is the first certified woman referee in the country. She is also a Fifa-accredited referee.
She was recently awarded the Estée Lauder Style Star of the Year Award at the Momentum gsport Awards and says though soccer is her first love, her focus now is to inspire girls to not set boundaries when chasing their dreams.
The former Thunderbirds Ladies striker started officiating in the Safa development structures in 2012 after hanging her boots up as a player.
She quickly made her way to the Premier League just two years later.
Since then she has not looked back.
“I am preparing myself for the Cosafa Women’s Championship that is coming up, but my focus is more on the league and other international appointments,” Makalima said.
Own your success, work hard for what you want and what you believe in, and when you get it, it doesn’t matter how small it is, celebrate it, it’s your win.
— Premier Soccer League referee Akhona Makalima
“However, most importantly my focus is inspiring young girls to say it is OK to be yourself.
“There are no limits in life just because you are a female; you can be whatever you want to be.
“It’s all about celebrating yourself, who you are and your victories.
“Winning is not only about coming first; it’s about bettering yourself.
“Do not be pressured by circumstances.
“You do not have any pressure, you are not in competition with anyone. Rather, you are in competition with yourself, to better yourself, and it’s OK to be you because there is no one else like you. That is your power.
“I think that is what we consistently need to remind our young girls.
“Forget about what social media portrays and all the pressure Own your success, work hard for what you want and what you believe in, and when you get it, it doesn’t matter how small it is, celebrate it, it’s your win.
“I am also part of the Momentum #SheOwnsHerSuccess campaign which encourages and empowers women to push for and own their unique definition of success.
“This is what the campaign has taught me.”
Makalima also applauded Momentum and gsport for the work they do to celebrate women in sport.
She said her biggest milestone to date was being nominated by Caf as a candidate referee for the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
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