Eastern Cape Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture MEC, Nonceba Kontsiwe has congratulated female referee, Akhona Makalima who will be one of the 33 referees officiating in the upcoming FIFA Women’s Soccer World Cup tournament scheduled to take place in Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to August 20, 2023.
She is the only woman from South Africa to be appointed as a match official.
The announcement was made by the FIFA World Governing Body yesterday, January 9, where the names of the 33 referees, 55 assistant referees and 19 video match officials were released.
The Ngqamakwe-born Makalima became the first certified female soccer referee in South Africa after receiving funding from the department’s program aimed at training referees in East London.
She officiates for FIFA, the Premier Soccer League, the Sasol Women’s League and the South African Football Association. She is also a member of the Eastern Cape Women in Sport Support Network.
MEC Kontsiwe said the news of Makalima’s callout was good for the province.
“We congratulate Akhona Makalima. Her callout is a fulfilment of our efforts. A young girl from Ngcisininde Village in Nqamakwe jetting off to officiate on a big international platform like the Fifa Women’s Soccer World Cup is a payoff on our investment. This goes to show that when you are dedicated to your craft, the possibilities are limitless. We take pride in knowing that she is influencing aspiring young women,” said Kontsiwe.
Click here for the full list of the appointed match officials.
