Given her growing reputation as a trailblazing South African referee, Akhona 'She Ref' Makalima appears to be getting the superstar treatment she deserves from her sportswear deal. Here's a look.
The story
Makalima is one of the sportswear brand Lotto Sport's leading stars in football. While she is obviously a match official, she has done what many have never seen, especially in South Africa, which is to have a commercial endorsement deal with an outfitter.
On the Italian company's roster, she sits alongside a growing list of local footballers, including Orlando Pirates playmaker Thabang Monare, Cape Town City trio Taariq Fielies, Mark van Heerden, and Darren Keet, as well as Keagan Ritchie and Thabo Mnyamane of Maritzburg United and Marumo Gallants, respectively.
A recent commercial by the company sees the She Ref showcasing some on-field wear by the brand and some sporty casualwear when she's away from her officiating duties.
Astonishingly, in 2017 she told Drum magazine that her short to mid-term goal was to become a brand ambassador, a feat she has indeed achieved.
“I see myself as a brand ambassador empowering women in sport – that’s my five-year plan. I will work very hard and never bend or give up on anything.”
Read: Allende and Sirino show their other talents
What else has been happening?
For starters, the increasingly successful sportswoman has a busy schedule between officiating local and international matches, while she is also playing a huge part in women's leadership in sport.
Last month, she was in Lahore in Pakistan to conduct a course titled 'Career Mentorship in Women Sports and Football Refereeing’ at Government College University (GCU), according to Pakistani outlet The Nation.
It is said that she trained "25 national and international athletes about how they move forward in life after their playing career and become mentors and leaders" and she also guided the participants about the pathway to becoming a referee at the international level.
Read: Brazil star's surprising new tattoo of his teammate
Your thoughts, please?
Can you name other female referees who you feel deserve more recognition in the country?
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
WATCH: FRANCE FANS CELEBRATE BEATING MOROCCO IN THE 2022 FIFA WORLD CUP SEMI-FINALS
