In the wake of her high-profile divorce from Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, businesswoman and philanthropist Rachel Kolisi is setting the record straight. As she prepares to launch her deeply personal documentary, Falling Forward, Rachel is addressing the “why” behind her decision to keep her married name—and it’s a matter of both motherhood and identity.
Despite online chatter suggesting she is clinging to the association, Rachel reveals that the reality is grounded in the practicalities of raising her diverse family.
The Practicality of Motherhood
Rachel, who shares two biological children with Siya and co-parents his younger siblings, Liyema and Liphelo, explained that keeping the Kolisi name is essential for navigating a world that often questions her family structure.
- Travel Challenges: Rachel noted that traveling as a white mother with “brown children” (her words) already invites unwanted scrutiny at borders and security gates.
- Proving Her Relationship: She shared that she is frequently asked, “Are those your kids?” Having a different surname would only exacerbate these “big challenges” and complicate her children’s sense of security.
- Consistency for the Kids: Maintaining the same surname as her four children ensures a unified identity during a season of significant change.
Moving Beyond “The Wife” Narrative
While her documentary Falling Forward arrives during a time of public transition, Rachel is firm: the film is about her personal evolution, not the divorce. She is ready for the world to see her as a woman with her own “deliverables” rather than a headline attached to a famous athlete.
“I want to move past this narrative. People have pinned me to who I was married to… I have so much more to offer than that season in my life. There’s a new conversation, there’s a new season, so let’s move on.”
Redefining “Moving On”
As rumors circulate regarding Siya’s personal life, Rachel has a powerful message about the societal pressure on women to be coupled up. For her, “moving on” doesn’t mean finding a new partner—it means finding herself.
“I’m good by myself. I don’t think I’ve ever been better,” she shared. She challenged the notion that a woman’s value is intrinsically linked to her relationship status, asserting that she is currently enjoying her own company and professional growth.
