Limpopo’s Takalani Makhavhu blows the whistle on gender norms in soccer
Inspired by Akhona Makalima, Takalani Makhavhu is rising through SA’s football ranks as a respected female referee.
LIMPOPO – When 31-year-old Takalani Makhavhu had to choose a career path, she turned away from conventional roles often associated with women and followed her passion – becoming a soccer referee.
Born in Madabani village in the Sinthumule area, Makhavhu completed matric and went on to earn a level four qualification in civil engineering from Vhembe TVET College.
But it was soccer that truly captured her heart. “My love for soccer started when I was very young,” she said. At the age of 15, she joined the Madebele Ladies team, competing in the Safa Limpopo Sasol Women’s League.
She played actively until 2022, when she decided to retire and shift her focus to refereeing, a decision inspired by prominent female referee Akhona Makalima.
“Akhona motivated me to stay in the game, but this time with a whistle,” she told CV. Today, she serves as a referee in both the SAB League and the Safa Women’s League.
She regularly officiates matches in the provincial Sasol Women’s League and the Safa Vhembe League, viewing these as stepping stones toward her ultimate goal, which is to referee in the PSL and the Motsepe Foundation Championship League.
Makhavhu is determined to succeed based on merit, not gender.
“People should judge me on my performance, not because I’m a woman,” she stated. I make sure I stick to the rules, and that has earned me respect on the pitch. I’m proud to say that I’ve never faced violence in my refereeing career,” she concluded.
