Her presence on the field that day was a historic moment for South Africa’s professional soccer circuit: no woman had ever been handed the whistle to referee a men’s soccer match.
“I’m a dreamer. I’ve always known that I was destined for greatness. I just didn’t know how far I’d go,” Makalima (35) told Daily Maverick on the sidelines of a panel discussion on women in sports.
“But I always had a feeling that there is something great that I will do.”
Since her big debut, Makalima has become a mainstay in both the Premier Soccer League and the Safa Women’s League. She has also officiated in multiple international tournaments, including the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon).
Earlier this year, it was announced that Makalima, alongside three other female referees from Africa, will be in Australia and New Zealand for the Fifa Women’s World Cup, which starts on 20 July.
They will be joined by seven African assistant referees.
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