Nolitha Mhlomi grew up in the deep rural areas of Zifonondile in Cala, playing football with young boys and participating in athletics.
At the time, she never thought that one day she would become a professional sportswoman, specifically a referee.
Although she had never played football professionally, during her childhood she was always surrounded by sports enthusiasts and professionals. Around 2021, Mhlomi’s officiating career began to take shape when she was introduced to refereeing by Siyasanga Gulwa and Madoda Sapula in Butterworth. Her passion and dedication to officiating have already yielded positive results in her life.
According to Mhlomi, 2021 was when everything started to make sense in her refereeing career. She was invited to a national refereeing workshop in Johannesburg, where she was taught the rules and laws of the game.
Since then, she has never stopped chasing her dream. Today, Mhlomi is among the trusted and qualified referees in the Eastern Cape and South Africa at large.
She is currently officiating Hollywoodbets Super League games, EC ABC Motsepe League, EC SASOL League, and Regional Leagues for both males and females.
She is mentored by legends, Bonakela Sodoli and Khulasande Gqogqo, who are among the outstanding referees in South Africa and abroad.
Mhlomi mentioned some of the difficulties they face in football as female referees, such as players and coaches struggling to control their emotions, often resulting in shouting and name-calling. She emphasised that professionalism is key in refereeing. Mhlomi said her dream is to become one of the best referees in the world.
Recently, six Eastern Cape female referees were invited to attend a workshop in Johannesburg, and Mhlomi was among those promising referees. The referees include Nwabisa Mehlomakhulu, Bongisa Tshobole, Anelisa Genu, Lathitha Bester, Lerato Nakumbana, and Nolitha Mhlomi.
