Geraldine Lerena on pioneering the future of South African boxing
Image: Alexius van der Westhuizen
As co-founder and chief executive of Aquila Boxing Promotions, Geraldine Lerena is one of the pioneering female promoters in South African boxing, and for her it's all about growing the sport in the country.
Together with her husband and WBC bridgerweight champion Kevin Lerena, Geraldine founded Aquila Boxing Promotions (ABP).
ABP says in its mission statement: 'Aquila combines grassroots development with high-calibre professional showcases, giving fighters a platform to rise and fans a reason to rally.
'With a growing reputation for quality matchmaking and production, Aquila is shaping the future of African boxing — one fight at a time.'
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Ad loading
Geraldine's Impact on Shaping the Sport: Providing a Platform for Young Fighters and Promoting Female Bouts
For Geraldine, the opportunity to give back to the sport that has given her family so much is fulfilling.
'It's incredibly exciting what we're able to do. I just feel extremely privileged to be able to provide a platform for young fighters to showcase their talents and to build their records and just to show us what they can do. So I think it's a really exciting time,' Geraldine told IOL Sports in an exclusive interview.
In ABP's most recent event last week, a rare female bout was included on the fight card. Ensuring the fight between Keabetso Mathane and Abigail Gabonewe happened was an example of how Geraldine is helping shape the sport in the country.
'It's really, really great. It's obviously difficult to put female fights on just because the divisions are really, really thin. So to be able to put a fight on for Women's Month is really, really great.'
Geraldine's Support and Kevin's Journey as ABP Ambassador
As for Geraldine's support of 33-year-old Kevin, who has now fought 35 times in his career, it's been a whirlwind journey.
'It's amazing. He's such a terrific fighter and just such a role model to so many. I'm just always so proud of him.'
With Kevin working as the ambassador for ABP since the company was founded in November last year, it's given the dynamic duo a chance to experience a new challenge.
'It's really rewarding. I mean, he's just so hard-working, so to be able to work with him alongside him is really fantastic,' said Geraldine.
'It's really great. Just to be able to listen to all the fighters, how grateful they are that we are able to provide a platform, is just really rewarding.'
@Michael_Sherman
IOL Sport
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
eNCA
4 hours ago
- eNCA
Comrade's champion Gerda Steyn roped in to help Cape Town marathon
CAPE TOWN - When South Africans talk about marathon running, one name almost always comes up. Gerda Steyn, the golden lady of South African distance running. Now she's been brought in to help participants prepare for and complete the Cape Town Marathon. The race has its sights set on something big, becoming a World Marathon Major. But to get there, it's got to tick off a tough list of requirements. One of the biggest? Getting at least 15,000 runners across that finish line. But this race is about more than just the sport. It's about unity, pride, and putting Cape Town and Africa on the global stage. For Gerda Steyn, this race is about more than just kilometres and finishing times. She's convinced the Cape Town Marathon is the perfect way to showcase South Africa in all its beauty, energy, and spirit. Mark your calendars, the Cape Town Marathon is set for the 19th of October. And it's going to be big, the entire field of 24-thousand entries is officially sold out. By: Justin Ford
Daily Maverick
5 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
Kasi Delivery hands motorbikes to 20 young township entrepreneurs
In a bid to tackle youth unemployment and boost township economies, 20 young entrepreneurs from across Gqeberha received motorbikes through the Kasi Delivery Youth Empowerment Programme. The energy was electric in Veeplaas on Tuesday, August 5 as 20 brand-new motorbikes were officially handed over to youngsters through the Kasi Delivery Youth Empowerment Programme. The event brought together key development players, including the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, the Eastern Cape Development Corporation, the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency, Zero4One, Harambee and local business, Daku Spar. Kasi Delivery helps young people obtain their driving licences and trains them in service delivery. Once trained, they operate their own delivery businesses under the Kasi Delivery brand, contributing a portion of their profits to support the next group of aspiring entrepreneurs. Each partner reaffirmed their shared commitment to uplifting township economies, empowering young people and building sustainable local businesses. Addressing the crowd, Eastern Cape MEC for Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism Nonkqubela Pieters said, 'These township entrepreneurs are no longer confined to the margins. They now have the tools and the platform to lead change on their own terms. 'Once spectators of opportunity, they are now active players in growing the local economy. This aligns with our mission to build an inclusive economy where no one is left behind.' Pieters confirmed that the handover formed part of a broader provincial commitment to deliver 50 motorbikes, with 40 already handed over. 'An employed youth means decreased crime. This is about improving the Kasi (township) economy. We insure these bikes for a year, and then the entrepreneurs take over. We are building sustainability,' Pieters said. 'Make my dream come true' For Kwanele Jebe from New Brighton, the handover marked the start of a long-envisioned mission. 'I've been unemployed for years. But now, I can make my dream come true, to deliver medical treatments to vulnerable community members who struggle to reach clinics,' said Jebe, who was inspired by his elderly relative's challenges accessing healthcare. 'Mobility is a privilege many don't have. I want to bridge that gap,' he said. Another recipient, Thandokazi Nkosana, said she had studied at Lovedale College, but struggled to find work until she approached Kasi Deliveries. 'I'm the breadwinner at home, and now I can finally put food on the table. These bikes are the thin line between hunger and survival. I think it's also very important to note the inclusivity – women can do it too, and it's Women's Month! ' she said with a giggle. 'Restoring dignity' The Eastern Cape Development Corporation's Ayanda Malabar said the programme went beyond economic stimulus; it was about restoring dignity. 'We are here to equip young people with the means to be independent, confident contributors to their communities,' he said. At the centre of this success story is Kasi Delivery's founder Theo Gora, who proudly shared the company's progress. 'All our drivers make a minimum of R4,000 per month. Demand is growing and we're ready to expand to other regions in the province,' Gora said, adding that the next step was a custom-built app to complement their current WhatsApp-based system. 'We bridge the gap between suburbs and townships. Someone in Summerstrand may be afraid or lazy to drive to Zwide for traditional food like ulusu, that's where we come in. We unlock access and boost township businesses in the process.' 'Resilience, innovation' Acting Executive Director for Economic Development, Tourism and Agriculture Wandisile Makwabe praised the resilience and innovation of the local youth. 'The pandemic exposed two urgent needs: access to food and access to opportunity. Our youth didn't wait for handouts; they created solutions,' Makwabe said. 'A group of young innovators from our townships built a food delivery app tailored for communities often excluded by platforms like Uber Eats. They filled a gap that mattered, and they did it with vision, courage and purpose.' Makwabe emphasised that this was a prime example of development driven from within the community. Member of the mayoral committee for economic development, Councillor Bassie Kamana, who delivered the vote of thanks, reinforced the power of this moment. 'To the young people here today, your passion is inspiring. The provision of motorbikes is not just a gesture; it's a sign of what we can achieve together,' he said. 'The future is in your hands, and it is bright.' DM
Daily Maverick
5 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
How exports can transform South Africa's agricultural landscape
We do not emphasise enough the critical role of exports in driving South Africa's agricultural growth. If one looks at the past three decades, this sector has more than doubled in value and volume. Indeed, the improvements in genetics and cultivars, among other interventions, are the primary catalysts that delivered this growth. But another critical catalyst is exports. I illustrated this point at length in my book, A Country of Two Agricultures. We now export roughly half of what we produce in South Africa's agriculture, which was nearly $14-billion in 2024. We are not even at capacity in terms of agricultural production, since we have roughly 2.5 million hectares of government-owned land that was previously commercially farmed but now suboptimally used. We also have capacity in the former homelands to increase agricultural output. When this land in the underused government farms and the former homelands is finally released to deserving black farmers, with title deeds, paired with affordable finance and partnerships from commodity associations, we will be able to drive the agricultural output to new heights. But we won't be in a position to absorb that output in the domestic market. We will need to look at export markets. These exports are also key in ensuring that the farming businesses remain financially viable and can sustain jobs and provide economic value to various communities. And yes, we don't just export without first taking care of the domestic food needs. The exports are primarily a surplus. (The poverty issues we all are aware of in South Africa are mainly an income poverty issue, not necessarily an agricultural question). It is this reality I have explained above that has always compelled me to speak more about the need to expand our export diversification efforts. I was encouraged yesterday (4 August 2025) when I heard the key policymakers in the trade and international relations space pushing this message strongly. In a joint media briefing by South Africa's ministers of international relations and cooperation and trade, industry and competition, the intent to rigorously pursue export diversification was made clear, with the ministers stating: 'We have been strengthening trade and investment partnerships with various trade partners. These efforts are bearing fruit, targeting markets across Africa, as well as in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas.' The ministers further stated: 'We are making significant inroads into new, high-growth markets across Asia and the Middle East, including the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. These efforts are not only opening doors to new opportunities but also reinforcing our commitment to retaining the vital markets we already have.' With this clarity on the importance of export diversification, the South African agricultural community must rally behind this message. The first step must be to support the government with insights that further help them in engaging with the new markets and their prioritisation. This may not be something that people have on their minds, especially in the fast-evolving world of global trade. Thus, supporting research efforts on trade to provide up-to-date key insights that guide us in decision-making is vital. Another aspect we will have to assess is capacity readiness in the various government departments that are directly engaged in trade matters, specifically the departments of International Relations and Cooperation and Trade, Industry and Competition. This also means that South Africa will have to adjust its approach on trade matters and be more open to free trade agreements, understanding that there are trade-offs they bring. You cannot win in all industries. There will be tough choices in trade-offs that policymakers will have to make. The countries we want to diversify to may also want to sell something from South Africa. This is particularly true today, where all countries are under pressure to expand their export markets given the disruption caused by the US trade policy. The senior officials in the trade department will also need to align with this new approach, which may be a slight shift in orientation from the established way of approaching trade policy matters.
