THOHOYANDOU – Those who know him better call him Makhanda, but his real name is Ephraim Singo. He joined refereeing way back in the early eighties. Many people who shared his interest in refereeing as a profession have dropped off along the way.

He turned professional in the early nineties. Singo vividly remembers some of the first games that he officiated when he turned professional. One of his best games was the OK League match between Pepsi the Angel and Health Centre United. It was played at the Thohoyandou Stadium.

One of the games that made him feel like leaving refereeing at an early stage include the other OK League match between Pepsi the Angel and Bosman Chelsea that was played at the Malamulele Stadium. Singo flashed six red cards in that game. The match that will always remain fresh in his memory is the one that was played at the Seshego Stadium between Seshego Naughty Boys and Ria Stars Football Club. Singo and his assistants had to be escorted to the nearly police station after the game as their lives were in danger.

Despite all the odds, Singo never looked back. Most of today’s well-known local referees, including Tshifhiwa Dali and Collins Netshiongolwe who are doing duty for the Premier Soccer League matches, are Singo’s products. Singo was appointed the referees’ inspector three years ago.

At the same time, he was working as a referees’ selector in the Limpopo Province. Singo has recently received a letter from Safa appointing him as the match commissioner with effect from December 1, 2004. He told Mirror that his new appointment was a clear indication that his employer, the South African Football Association, is happy about the job he was doing. He thanked the local media and Mirror in particular for the unlimited support he received when his days were dark.