When 31-year-old Takalani Makhavhu had to decide on a career, she did not opt for the traditional jobs associated with women. Instead, this energetic young lady decided she wanted to be a soccer referee.
Makhavhu was born at Madabani village in the Sinthumule area. After finishing matric, she completed a Level 4 course in civil engineering at the Vhembe TVET College.
Her love of soccer started at a very early age. "I started dreaming about soccer when I was still at a young age," explained Takalani. She said that she started playing soccer when she was 15 years old, when she joined the Madebele ladies team that played in the Safa Limpopo Sasol Women's League.
"When I hung up my soccer boots in 2022, I was motivated by a fellow PSL and international lady, Akhona Makalima," she said. Makalima was a female referee and encouraged the young player to become involved in soccer refereeing.
Apart from being on the panel for the SAB League as a referee, Makhavhu is also a panel member of the South African Football Association's Women's League. She officiates in the provincial Sasol Women's League and Safa Vhembe league matches and uses it as a stepping stone to greater heights as she believes in appointments on merit and ability.
At the moment, Takalani's aim is to officiate in the PSL and Motsepe Foundation Championship League.
"People should judge me on my performance and not on my gender," she said. She said that she was happy that men did not look down on her when she was in control of the games. "I make sure that I adhere to all the rules and this makes me respectable on the soccer pitch. The fact that I'm a woman has nothing to do with my authority on the pitch, and I'm proud that I have never been assaulted throughout my career," she said.