In Part 1 of this week’s edition of In The Spotlight with PSL assistant referee Zakhele Siwela, South Africa, KickOff uncovers how his journey in refereeing began.
Siwela celebrates his 43rd birthday today, 2 September.
His keen ability to spot an offside from literally a mile away has led many football fans across the continent to wonder whether this Alexandra-born official is robotic or human.
How did you get into refereeing? Did you play the game yourself?
"I played football until I was 21 years old, even though I began refereeing at the age of 16. It happened by chance, actually. I became a full-time referee after realising that my future looked brighter in this field. Before that, I used to play as a striker and right winger.” [Laughs]
What are your achievements in officiating?
"I've had numerous achievements in refereeing. I've officiated at the Club World Cup final as an assistant referee, participated in AFCON, and officiated in three [CAF] Champions League finals. I've also been part of the [CAF] Confederation Cup final and the Super Cup final. I have accomplished a lot in my international career."
Why did you choose to be an assistant referee rather than the main referee?
"I had the potential to become a referee, but when I got promoted, I was still very young and felt a bit intimidated. So, they suggested that I should be an assistant referee."
What was your favourite PSL team growing up in Alexandra?
[Huge laughter!] “I think I should keep that a secret. I’ll let you know as soon as I retire from refereeing."
What is the most difficult aspect about refereeing?
"The most challenging part is the isolation we feel as referees. There isn't a support system like there is for players and teams. We rely on ourselves to achieve our goals as referees. It can be tough because you have to make decisions that may upset people, as they might favour the game rather than their teams.
“Then you go on social media and find insults directed at you for making what you believe was the right call. However, you need to develop a thick skin and resilience."
Who is your greatest influence in refereeing?
"I can't attribute my journey to just one person. When I first started, there was a gentleman named Israel Mnguni, who taught me the Laws of the Game. Additionally, there were many former referees who influenced me during that time."
Who do you think will win the league title this season?
"It's still early, and football is unpredictable. You can never win the league in just the first round. The team that remains consistent in collecting points throughout the season will likely claim the title."
Who is your favourite all-time referee?
"It’s difficult to choose just one in refereeing because each referee brings different contributions and has their own style of controlling the game."
What is your favourite food?
"I grew up at my grandmother's house, so I will always love chicken feet, chicken hearts, giblets, livers, and intestines. I wouldn’t mind eating those all week."
Are you involved in anything besides football?
"I'm currently completing my highest certificate in Sports Science, a field I'm looking to pursue in the future. This course has introduced me to coaching, which is something I’m also exploring on the side."
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
"My weakness is that I tend to be too hard on myself. I’m someone who believes I can achieve anything, even though I know some things are impossible. My strength lies in being an honest, straightforward person."
What do you remember about your first PSL match?
"It was in Limpopo in 2005, and the referee was Ace Ncobo. It was Dynamos against Mamelodi Sundowns, and the match commissioner was Steve Goddard, who was known for giving referees low marks. However, in that game, he gave me 93%. That match opened many doors for me. Sundowns won, but I’m not sure of the final score."
Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images
