The future looks bright for a promising young local football referee, Pfariso Mababo (15) of Tsianda, who is officiating in the Safa Limpopo ABC Motsepe League. Mababo was spotted among the group of referees that underwent the referee fitness tests, which were held at Oscar Mphetha Stadium at University of Limpopo on Sunday, 6 May.
Some spectators were heard speaking among themselves, saying that Pfariso was quickly establishing himself as a referee. They did, however, advise him that he stood a better chance of officiating during major games if he refused to allow grown-ups to corrupt him with bribes.
Pfariso, a Grade 10 pupil at Lwamondo High School, said he had never in his life received a threat as a referee. When asked where he saw himself in three years' time, Pfariso said that his dream was to officiate at international level soon.
He singled out Mr Nkhumiseni Nyambeni as the one who motivated and guided him in refereeing. Nyambeni is the current referee selector for the Safa Vhembe SAB stream D and the ABC Motsepe League match commissioner. Pfariso said Nyambeni had taught him many different skills in life, encouraged him to stay focused when officiating matches and to have a match plan ready at all times.
The young referee believes that setting realistic goals that can be achieved within a given period is important. He said he had declined many offers from club officials who wanted him to fix the results of their matches. "I don't want to ruin my refereeing career by taking bribes. Besides, I am a man of strong principles," he said.