Bernadettar Kwimbira

Refereeing remains a predominantly men’s field in Malawi’s football. And a woman needs a thick skin to handle men’s games where fans are notorious for showering insults and even assaults. Despite such challenges, local Fifa assistant referee Bernadettar Kwimbira has endured it all and she continues to distinguish herself by earning Fifa and Confederation of African Football (Caf) recognition. PETER KANJERE talks to her.

Tell us about your upbringing, family and school?

I was born on September 11 1981 in Blantyre. I am a third born in a family of four children–two boys and two girls. Our first born Emmanuel Alinafe Kwimbira, who was a basketball player for Falcons before joining Bricks, passed away in February 2006. I come from Fundi Village, T/A Kilupula in Karonga. I attended Ndirande F.P School, Mlambalala Primary School in Blantyre and Nchowo Model School in Karonga.  Then I went to Chichiri Secondary School before attending Staff Development Institute in Mpemba for a two- year course in secretarial and administration.

What about your parents?

I lost my father in April 1989. Growing up with a single mother, who was working for government as a secretary, was tough. But she made sure we attained education. She is my hero.

Are you in a relationship?

I got married to Derick Mzika in 2005. We have two boys—Christian, 8 and Solace who is two years old.

While growing up, what did you want to become?

I wanted to become an air traffic controller. I still feel I need to do more. I have enrolled for a degree course.

When and how did you develop interest in refereeing?

In secondary school, I joined Sobo Athletics Club and was competing in 100 and 200 metres alongside Dorrah Mkandawire and Ruth Kenani Mzengo who is now working with Malawi National Council of Sports. I was also playing in the school’s netball team. In 2000, I joined the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) as one of the very first female soldiers. I continued with athletics while in the army. I also had a passion for football. So, in 2002, I approached Mr. Youngson Chilinda who was then a FIFA referee and expressed my ambitions. The same year, the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) organised a basic referee’s course in Kasungu. I passed and was awarded a Grade 3 certificate.

What is your current grade in referring?

It is Fifa international assistant referee.

What do your children say when they hear or watch you officiate?

When I am going to officiate a match my elder son listens to the radio with his friends. He tells them: “They will mention my mommy”. When I return, his friends tell me they listened to the match. And my son will be smiling and saying: “I told them, they will mention you, but they thought I was lying.” Last year when I was in Equatorial Guinea for the 8th Women African Cup of Nations Tournament, he was watching Super Sport to see me refereeing. I can tell that he is proud of me.

What have been your highs and lows of your career?

The highs: My performance has been improving with every game and that has earned me assignments of high level games both nationally and internationally. I have officiated matches such as Big Bullets vs. Silver Strikers at Kamuzu Stadium in the Super League; Kamuzu Barracks vs. Big Bullets at Dedza Stadium, the Presidential Cup quarter final match, in August; the semi final of the just ended Standard Bank Knockout Trophy, MTL Wonderers vs. Kamuzu Barracks at Silver Stadium. I love travelling and FIFA just made it smooth for me. I have friends all over Africa because of refereeing in these countries. Currently, I am officiating as assistant referee in the Fifa World Cup Women Under-20 qualifiers.

The lows: Some of our supporters, team officials as well as players forget that we are humans too. They don’t know what one goes through to become a referee. They don’t know the training and fitness tests we go through in the cold and rain or in the scorching sun. People don’t know of the headaches we suffer when the Match Assessor gives you a low score when you had put your 101 percent to a match. We have been verbally and physically abused. Its high time  FAM does something to stop this unwarranted behaviour. These teams should be heavily punished by FAM or/and Sulom.

A supporter once slapped you after officiating a game at the Kamuzu Stadium, didn’t you think of quitting?

There is no quitting. I will only hang up my boots when my legs will no longer contain the Fifa fitness test. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. It’s one of those things you would expect in refereeing. It was a difficult period, but it helped me grow. That was minor as compared to what I have achieved as an international referee. That person just earned himself six months behind bars.

Why would you encourage girls to consider refereeing?

There were female Fifa referees before me, Martha Nyekanyeka, Ella Banda, Christina Chioko and Jane Silungwe, among others. They are match commissioners today. No one officiates for life. Malawi will need somebody else to represent the nation at high level matches. Football refereeing is full of fun despite the ups and downs I have mentioned. The travelling—when you become an international referee, making friends all over the world—reading rules of the game and interpreting them accordingly when officiating a match, is fun. Hard work, dedication and humility is all what it takes and God does the rest.

What was your husband’s reaction when you ventured into refereeing?

I was already a referee when I got married. I thank God that he gave me such a loving and understanding husband who allowed me to continue with refereeing. He has been supportive. He is a husband as well as my coach since he was also an athlete. There are some days when I don’t feel like training he makes sure I train. He will make time even after work at 5pm that I train. When am out there, I don’t forget that I am a wife as well as a mother.

What is your impression of the state of Malawi women football?

Generally, development of women’s football in Africa has faced several challenges that include poverty and fundamental inequality. Malawi is the only country that is lagging behind in COSAFA. We are the only country without a women’s national team. But am happy FAM launched the FAM/FIFA Cup which is being competed by

Under 20 teams. I don’t know if FAM Women Football Committee is always present when these girls are playing to identify talent.

How do you cope with the tough Fifa Fitness Test?

Training. It just needs effort at least four days of physical activities in a week. Mental preparation is also required.

After retiring from refereeing, what next for you?

I want to continue in the same field but then, as a technical or physical instructor.