South African Women
By Sello Masilo
South African Women Match Officials Shine at Ongoing CAF WAFCON in Morocco. The performances of these dedicated professionals at the tournament have highlighted their hard work and resilience, lifting the country’s refereeing standards to new heights on the international stage.
Overview of South African Representation at WAFCON 2025
The TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2025, hosted in Morocco, kicked off on 5 July 2025 and will run until 26 July 2025, marking the second straight edition in the North African nation. This biennial tournament features 12 top women’s teams from across the continent, with South Africa’s Banyana Banyana entering as defending champions after their 2022 victory over hosts Morocco in the final. Amid the on-field action, South African women match officials are stealing the spotlight, showcasing their skills and contributing to the smooth running of matches in this high-stakes competition.
Leading this impressive group is experienced referee Akhona Makalima, who is officiating at her first WAFCON after representing South Africa at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2023. Makalima’s inclusion in the list of 18 centre referees selected by CAF underscores her growing reputation as one of Africa’s top female officials. Complementing her is Lufuno Nemagovhani, serving as a referee technical instructor and assessor, bringing her expertise from recent FIFA Regional Instructors courses to guide and evaluate officials during the event.
This strong showing builds on South Africa’s increasing influence in African refereeing, with a solid group of female officials on the national panel paving the way for future success. Names like Nonjabulo Ndlela, Hloniphile Msezane, Amogelang Msiza, Kwandile Somtsai, Nandipha Menze, Maneo Tau, and Thembisa Siyatsha are among those officiating domestically, inspiring the next wave of talent. Their work at home, combined with the international exposure of figures like Makalima and Nemagovhani, signals a bright future for women in South African football officiating.
Akhona Makalima: A Trailblazer on the Global Stage
Akhona Makalima stands out as the only South African referee appointed to officiate matches at WAFCON 2025. Her journey to this point has been marked by consistent excellence and breakthroughs in a field traditionally dominated by men. Makalima made history in 2023 as one of the referees at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, where she handled high-pressure games with poise and accuracy. Building on that, she added to her credentials by serving on the VAR team at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2024 in Ivory Coast, further solidifying her status as a versatile and reliable official.
At WAFCON, Makalima has already taken charge of key fixtures, including the North African derby between Tunisia and Algeria on 10 July 2025 at Père Jégo Stadium in Casablanca. The match ended in a tense 0-0 draw at halftime under her watchful eye, demonstrating her ability to manage competitive encounters fairly and efficiently. Her performance has drawn praise for maintaining control while allowing the game to flow, a skill honed through years of domestic experience in South Africa’s Premier Soccer League and international assignments.
Makalima’s path inspires many, starting from her early days in community football to becoming a FIFA-listed referee. She has often spoken about the challenges of breaking barriers, including overcoming gender biases and rigorous physical demands, but her dedication has paid off, making her a role model for aspiring officials across the continent.
Lufuno Nemagovhani: Shaping the Future Through Instruction
Equally vital to South Africa’s success is Lufuno Nemagovhani, whose role as a technical instructor at WAFCON highlights the behind-the-scenes efforts driving referee development. Nemagovhani, who recently completed a FIFA Regional Instructors course, is tasked with assessing and mentoring referees during the tournament, ensuring high standards are met in every match. Her expertise extends beyond WAFCON; she is one of five South African instructors appointed by SAFA to focus on core football business, including referee training. This includes working alongside figures like Abdul Ebrahim, Carlos Henriques, Jerome Damon, and Victor Gomes to build robust development structures.
Nemagovhani’s contributions are crucial for nurturing talent, as she helps refine skills in areas like decision-making, positioning, and game management. Her presence at WAFCON not only elevates South Africa’s profile but also aids in preparing the next generation of officials for major events.
Emerging Talents on the National Panel
While Makalima and Nemagovhani represent South Africa internationally, a strong cohort of women officials on the SAFA National Panel is building momentum at home. Officials such as Nonjabulo Ndlela, known for her sharp judgment in youth leagues; Hloniphile Msezane, who has excelled in women’s domestic competitions; Amogelang Msiza, praised for her fitness and consistency; Kwandile Somtsai, a rising star in assistant referee roles; Nandipha Menze, with experience in high-stakes local derbies; Maneo Tau, focused on grassroots development; and Thembisa Siyatsha, noted for her calm under pressure, are all contributing to the growth of female refereeing in South Africa.
These women are part of SAFA’s broader push to increase female participation in officiating, aligning with global efforts to promote gender equality in football. Their work on the national stage, including in the Sasol League and other domestic tournaments, provides a pipeline for future international stars. SAFA’s refereeing governance, streamlined under Vision 2022, integrates these efforts into technical clusters to ensure coordinated growth.
Support from SAFA Leadership and Instructors
The success of these officials is underpinned by the tireless work of physical and technical referee instructors in South Africa, who focus on fitness, tactics, and mental resilience to keep referees at peak performance. National Referees Committee (NRC) Chairperson Victor Gomes, a former FIFA referee who officiated at the 2018 World Cup and now serves as CAF Referees Committee vice-president, has voiced strong support. “We are incredibly proud of the dedication and achievements of our female referees and instructors,” Gomes said. “This is just the beginning of what we hope will be a sustained period of success for our officials. We now need to ensure that our development structures are well-groomed to secure a steady group of match officials for the future.”
Gomes, who also joined the IFAB Technical Advisory Panel in 2025, emphasises the need for ongoing training, including VAR implementation, to align with global standards. SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan echoed this pride, applauding the officials as inspirations for young people nationwide. Jordaan, who has long advocated for more female referees in top-flight matches, sees their WAFCON involvement as a step towards greater inclusivity in football. He has pushed for initiatives like bringing in global experts to fast-track technologies such as VAR, ensuring South African officials remain competitive.
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