From Nursing Graduate to Football Referee: The Inspiring Journey of Angala Hertha Ndakulilwa

From Nursing Graduate to Football Referee: The Inspiring Journey of Angala Hertha NNdakulilwa. Balancing education and sport is no small feat, but for Angala Hertha Ndakulilwa, passion and determination have kept her thriving in both worlds. The 24-year-old recently graduated with a Nursing degree after four years of study, while also building her career as a football referee in Namibia.

Ndakulilwa began her refereeing journey in 2021, inspired by Antsino Twanayanyukwa, one of Namibia’s most respected referees. Before taking up the whistle, she played for V Power Angels FC, retiring in 2020. “I stopped playing because of Di Maria [Twanayanyukwa]. She inspired me—her humility, hard work, and character showed me this path was possible,” she explained.

Since then, she has officiated in the FNB Women’s Super League (WSL) and the Namport Second Division, primarily as a central referee, which remains her preferred role. Although her final year of studies limited her availability in 2024, she continues to remain active on the pitch.

When asked about her international ambitions, Ndakulilwa remains modest but driven: “I wouldn’t predict when I’ll officiate at tournaments like WAFCON or the Women’s Champions League, but I’m giving it my best. I see the potential, especially after proving myself at the Region 5 Games.”

Her journey has not been without challenges. She highlights verbal abuse from crowds and the lack of training in conflict management as key difficulties for referees in Namibia. Despite these obstacles, she believes in staying mentally strong, physically fit, and committed to learning the game’s evolving rules.

To aspiring referees, her advice is simple yet powerful: “Have integrity and do it for the love of football. Stay confident, know the rules, and never stop learning.”