“As a Country, We Can’t Breathe”: South Africans Grieve the End of Siya and Rachel Kolisi’s Marriage
Eight years after spending life together, South African rugby player Siya Kolisi and Rachel Kolisi (nee Smith) have called it quits. The pair announced their pending divorce on the 22nd of October 2024.
Although the conditions which led the pair to dissolve the marriage were not made known in the media release, Siya and Rachel have made it clear that while they were going through a divorce, it was anything but acrimonious. After careful deliberation, the two “mutually” thought it best to part ways.
“We wanted to share some important news with you. After much reflection and open conversation, we have mutually decided to end our marriage. This decision comes from a place of love, respect, and understanding that this is the best path forward for both of us,” said the joint statement which was uploaded on Instagram and Facebook.
The Kolisis | SUPPLIED
Just two years shy of reaching the ten-year mark, their marriage was blessed with two children: a son named Nicholas Siyamthanda Kolisi, born in 2015 and a daughter called Keziah Kolisi, born in 2017. In the statement, Siya and Rachel made it clear that the split would not have negative ramifications on their children, and that they would continue to maintain amicable relations for the sake of co-parenting.
They also touched on the Kolisi Foundation, stating that they would still join hands in “working together” for the good of the organisation. Founded in 2019 and conceived on the eve of the Springboks’ 2019 Rugby World Cup campaign, the organisation aims address social inequality. The Foundation’s latest exploit was a collaboration with global fast food chain KFC for the Indlala Campaign, which raised over R12 million for the foundation’s food security programme. The statement reiterated that they were still committed to making things work concerning the foundation.
“While our relationship as a couple is changing, we remain great friends and committed partners in raising our children with the same love and care they’ve always known. We will also continue working together on the Foundation that means so much to us.
“We are grateful for the love, understanding, and support you’ve shown us, and we kindly ask for your respect as we navigate this transition,” the statement said.
South Africans were shell-shocked at the sudden drop of the bombshell, with tweeps expressing their sadness.
@_ShaunKeyz posted: “I wasn’t planning to drink this weekend, but I divorce ka Siya and Rachel aying’phathi kahle.”
@LimpopoDaddy posted: “The Siya and Rachel Kolisi divorce is the most tragic split South Africans have witnessed since Nelson and mama Winnie, as a country we can’t breathe.”
@BalisoMlamli said: “I’m very sorry shame but I don’t accept this. Siya and Rachel have no right to break up shame, anyone else can break up if they want to, but not Siya and Rachel. Andifuni.”