Kokstad, a town often overlooked but definitely on the continuous rise, has a hidden gem in the form of Leonard “Shoes” Gregory, a local hero whose journey from soccer stardom to a dedicated disability activist is both inspiring and heart-warming.

Leonard Gregory, affectionately known as “Shoes” for his phenomenal ball skills, began his soccer career at the tender age of 15. Playing for the renowned Zulu Royals, later AmaZulu, Gregory was a central midfielder who had the rare talent of orchestrating the game with finesse. The crowds roared “Shoooooes!” every time he touched the ball, a testament to his electrifying presence on the field.

“I played for the love of the game and the joy of the crowd,” Gregory reminisces. His career saw him don jerseys for various teams including Durban Bush Bucks, Aces United, and Liverpool United in the Transkei Professional League. However, his promising career was abruptly cut short on February 8, 1991, when a car accident left him paralyzed from the waist down.

“I remember waking up to a truck driver shaking me and asking my name. It was a moment of sheer disbelief,” Gregory recalls. Despite the life-altering news from his doctor that he would never use his legs the same way again, Gregory remained resilient. “I knew that God would give me the ability to cope with this new way of life,” he says, displaying a remarkable sense of courage.

Not one to be defeated, Gregory pivoted his passion from playing to coaching. He formed the Young Swallows, a feeder team for Kokstad Swallows, imparting his soccer wisdom and instilling discipline and teamwork in the youth. “Young Swallows was my way of giving back to the community and ensuring the future of Kokstad Swallows,” he stated with pride.

Beyond soccer, Gregory’s true calling emerged as a disability activist. He observed the neglect and marginalization of people with disabilities in Kokstad and decided to make a difference. “People thought those with disabilities couldn’t do anything for themselves. It was heartbreaking,” Gregory laments.

In response, he mobilized the disabled community and founded the Mount Currie Disabled People’s Organisation (MCDPO) in March 1999. The launch was a momentous occasion, filled with music, drama, and hope. “People with disabilities have so much to offer. The community needs to change their attitudes to benefit from their contributions,” Gregory passionately advocates.

Today, Leonard “Shoes” Gregory is celebrated not just as a former soccer star but as a beacon of hope and change in Kokstad. His transformation from a soccer icon to a committed disability activist and mentor is a testament to his indomitable spirit. Even now, the echoes of “Shoooooes!” resonate, not from the soccer field, but from the hearts of those whose lives he continues to touch.

By Kamvalethu Xhelithole