After blowing the whistle for the past nine years, a local football referee, Olani Kwinda, has achieved what he describes as a lifetime achievement.

Kwinda was nominated the best referee during the SAFA U/17 national championships which were staged at the Eldorado Park Stadium in Johannesburg last week.

The final for the tournament was played on Sunday. Kwinda officiated in four matches, including the final and was assistant referee on two occasions. The final was between Kwazulu Natal and Northern Cape and the KZN took the trophy home. Kwinda was presented with a trophy and gold medal for his outstanding performance throughout the tournament.

Born at Ngovhela village 30 years ago, Kwinda took up football as his career in 2001. He officiated in local football association matches for three years before gaining promotion to the higher division.

It was in the year 2005 that he gained promotion to the Vodacom Promotional League and the Sasol League. Kwinda revealed that some of his memorable games include the final for the SAFA Vhembe Total Challenge between Muledane Giant Killers and Makhitha Yellow Birds, which was played at Tshifulanani Stadium two years ago, and the final for the national championship for the Metropolitan League, which was staged in Polokwane in 2007.

He singled out the Vodacom League game between Lusitano and Wits University FC, which was played in Lenasia, Johannesburg last year as a game that was very challenging to him. Kwinda said that an incident that nearly made him quit his profession was when he was pulled out of the panel for the Vodacom Promotional play-offs at the 11th hour without a reason last year.

“It was discouraging, but thanks to people like the former referee, Mr Rudzani Mulaudzi, who consoled me and told me it was not the end of the world, I remained,” he said.

When asked about the ongoing rumour that clubs officials do approach match officials offering them bribes, Kwinda confirmed that, saying he had been approached on countless occasions during his refereeing career.