South Africa reeled when the Kolisi’s released a joint statement on social media to announce their divorce, stating that the decision comes after “much reflection and open conversations” as well as “from a place of love, respect and understanding that this is the best path forward for both of us.”
The statement did not shed light on the reason behind the split, but they asked for respect as they navigated the transition and thanked the public for the love and support they had shown them.
The news spread like wildfire, seeing the couple trending across all social media platforms.
South Africans were devastated and shocked by the announcement, some likening it to the breakdown of our government of national unity, and thousands took to social media, pleading for them to try again.
Many felt that we had not only lost our golden couple but all hope of unity.
Siya was not only our captain - he was the poster child for what can be achieved through sheer determination and hard work. Coming from an impoverished background, he had achieved what many could only dream of.
Rachel was the relatable girl next door, always putting her family first and by her husband’s side, supporting him wherever his rugby career took him.
As a couple, they represented what we dream of—a united, multi-racial family from different social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
What has happened since?
Since then, we have seen Siya relocate to Ballito, spending time with his besties and focusing on his career.
Rachel is on a self-proclaimed “journey of healing," finding her feet as a single mom and an individual again, posting pictures of herself with the children, working out at the gym, and appearing at numerous social events.
Big brands are noticing her, and she has been posting various promotional videos for brands such as Uber and Clarins.
There is an immense amount of pressure on high-profile couples, and even though publicly they may appear to be coping, often they are not—as we have seen with many others.
The Kolisi’s represented everything that South Africa aspires to be, but the reality is that all relationships have their challenges—even those that appear to be perfect.
What are the expectations for 2025?
We will most likely see the couple going through a period of finding themselves and re-establishing themselves as individuals, and not the power couple that they once were.
South Africans and big brands love both of them, so neither of them is going to disappear from the public arena.
We may just see them more as individuals rather than the couple that we were used to seeing them as.
Both of them have their children’s best interests in mind, and I doubt that either of them would do anything to jeopardise that.
IOL Lifestyle