RUNNING THE STREETS

RUNNING THE STREETS Footballer and BEd graduate Renaldo Leaner proves that anything is possible if you’re passionate and committed

By Dumisani Koyana

Youngsters growing up on the Cape Flats are no strangers to adversity as the area is well known for violence, gangsterism and drugs, among other social ills. Yet, 22-year-old Renaldo Leaner, who hails from Elsies River, has kept his wits to ensure he did not become just another statistic, swallowed up by his surroundings.

“Most of the time, it’s difficult when people ask me whether I am really from Elsies River,” he says. “It’s not easy; there’s a lot of gangsterism. I remember times when I could not go to training because shootings were taking place in my area.”

Peer pressure is also rife on the gang-riddled streets, especially for kids running in the wrong circles.

“Growing up, I was naughty and would chill with my friends and smoke but I was never part of any gang. I also distanced myself from anything that I felt was not good

and my parents were also very strict.”

Solace is often found in the most unlikely places and, for many Cape Flats youth, football has become one such place. Many of the greatest footballers South Africa has produced have hailed from areas such as the Cape Flats, which, says Leaner, shows that even in the toughest, most dangerous of circumstances, diamonds are found, polished and can shine. He, of course, is testament to that.

“Football gave me hope and a chance to make things better for me and my family. It’s kept me busy and it still does. The football bug bit me at a young age and the funny thing is that, in my street, I was the only one with the ball.” After dominating the streets, he joined local clubs Central AFC and Matroosfontein and says now many people from his home turf look up to him. “My parents have also played their part and I am grateful to them because they’ve truly spoilt me rotten,” adds the softspoken goalkeeper.

Asked why he chose to enrol at UWC, he says: “In my family, no one had a degree and I told myself I wanted to do that for them.

“I also saw a lot of footballers who played at the highest level return to nothing after they retired so studying was my plan B. I could have focused on my soccer career but I wanted to secure my future and having a degree was that for me”.

During his studies at UWC, his time was carefully managed between playing for Ajax Cape Town, with whom he travelled a lot, his books and playing for the national team. ”It truly was a collective effort between my coaches at Ajax, UWC football and myself. I remember going to Holland with Ajax in my second year, getting home then leaving again to Taiwan right away – it was hard, especially trying to keep up with my exams and assignments.

“At one point, I wanted to quit football to focus on my studies.”

However, his hard work and determination helped him through.

Now, armed with a Bachelor of Education (BEd) in Mathematics and Science, Leaner can focus on his sporting career, which is only growing further as he has recently signed a professional contract with GladAfrica Championship title-chasers.