Siya and Rachel Kolisi have become South African royalty of sorts and many celebrate the couple. Rachel Kolisi was born Rachel Smith in Makhanda in the Eastern Cape on 21 January 1990. Siya and Rachel met at a dinner event in Stellenbosch in 2012 before Kolisi had earned his first Springbok call-up. The couple welcomed their first child in 2015 with the birth of their son Nicholas Siyamthanda.
Siya has frequently praised his wife for her role as a prayer warrior and his staunchest supporter claiming that she helped him overcome a drinking problem that he developed early in his career. The couple took in Siya’s young half-siblings Liyema and Liphelo whom they would officially adopt.
In 2021, Rachel gave birth to their daughter Keziah and the family as it stands now was complete.Siya and Rachel also established the Kolisi Foundation shortly after the 2019 Rugby World Cup as they sought to use their profile and influence for the good of South Africa.
Even with the Kolisi family beginning a spell in France after the Springbok skipper agreed a move to Racing 92, their foundation will ensure they continue to work for communities back home.
A statement from the Foundation reads: “The Kolisi Foundation is excited at the announcement that our co-founders, Siya and Rachel Kolisi, will be moving to France after the Rugby World Cup later this year to join Racing 92 in Paris.
“Although we will miss Siya and Rachel’s physical presence in the communities in South Africa, our co-founders will continue to work effortlessly in France, and the rest of Europe, on fundraising efforts and establishing new partnerships. We are excited at the opportunities that will arise from their move.
“As the Kolisi Foundation, we remain unconditionally committed to continuing our work with our current partners in South Africa as we pursue our vision of Changing the Narratives of Inequality in South Africa. To the Kolisi Family, we wish you all the best on your new adventure.
Source: News365
