Zambian trailblazing female referee Diana Chikotesha has shared a touching revelation of her early life in the village.
Chikotesha has officiated in major FIFA and CAF competitions. She was the first woman to serve as an assistant referee in the men’s Africa Cup of Nations match.
She refereed many tournaments, including the Olympics, the Women’s World Cup, the CAF Champions League, and the CAF Confederation Cup.
Chikotesha has shared a story about using a coffee table as her bed while growing up in Petauke, Eastern Zambia.
A coffee table was turned into a makeshift bed by her guardians because they were unable to afford a suitable bed for her.
This was an improvisation for her safety from poisonous ants, insects, snakes in her one-room thatched house.
“Due to safety precautions, this was used as a sleeping bed at night in a one-room thatched house for more than five years,” she said on her Facebook page.
“It was normal bedtime for me “-Chikotesha.
“My village location then could not allow me to sleep on the floor directly due to some poisonous ants (scorpions) in the area; also, my guardians could not afford to get me a decent bed, hence the improvisation of this beautiful and comfortable table/bed then.”
Chikotesha recalls never complaining about discomfort; for her, it was a normal bedtime experience.
“One would ask how you were fitting on this small table. My answer is I don’t remember complaining of any discomfort, nor falling off from the table, nor complaining of folding my legs and hands to fit on the table until morning; for me it was normal bedtime like for any other person,” Chikotesha said.
Chikotesha expressed gratitude to Mr. Simon Mwanza (her in-law) and Janet Chikotesha Mwanza (her elder sister) for preserving memories.
“Seeing this special, lovely bed now, more than 25 years down the memory lane, is something huge and worthy to be celebrated,” she remarked.
“Don’t forget—your humble beginnings are not something to be ashamed of. Embrace them, as they will serve as a reminder of how far you’ve come.”
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