Rachel Kolisi Explains Why She Will Keep the Kolisi Surname After Divorce
Viable News Team 
Image: RachelKolisi/Facebook
South African philanthropist and author Rachel Kolisi has explained why she will continue using the Kolisi surname following her divorce from Siya Kolisi, the captain of the South Africa national rugby union team.
Speaking in a candid radio interview, Kolisi addressed several public misconceptions about her personal life, her marriage and her role in raising her children.
Keeping the Same Surname as Her Children
Kolisi made the remarks during an interview with radio host Anele Mdoda on 947 on Wednesday, 11 March.
Responding to a listener’s question about whether she planned to revert to her maiden name, Smith, Kolisi said she intends to keep the surname she shares with her children.
She explained that having the same surname as her children helps avoid complications, particularly when travelling internationally.
Kolisi said she has sometimes been questioned at airport gates because her children do not physically resemble her in ways that some people expect.
According to her, officials have occasionally asked for additional confirmation that the children are indeed hers.
She said maintaining the same surname makes these situations easier to manage.
A Family Beyond Biology
Rachel and Siya Kolisi share two biological children together. She also played a key role in raising Siya’s younger siblings, Liphelo Kolisi and Liyema Kolisi, after they became part of the couple’s household years ago.
The Kolisi family became widely recognised in South Africa not only because of Siya’s rugby success but also due to their philanthropic work through the Kolisi Foundation, which focuses on education, food security and gender-based violence initiatives.
Responding to Public Criticism
During the interview, Kolisi also addressed criticism she has faced online, including accusations that she benefited financially from her marriage to the rugby star.
She rejected the suggestion, saying she had worked numerous jobs before and during their relationship.
Among those roles, she said, was working as a housekeeper at a bed-and-breakfast establishment in Cape Town.
Kolisi said such experiences shaped her work ethic long before she became publicly known.
Speaking Openly About Her Marriage
The conversation also touched on revelations from Kolisi’s memoir Falling Forward, in which she discusses personal struggles during her marriage.
In previous discussions about the book, she shared that there were times she felt she had to ask permission to access money for everyday necessities such as toiletries.
Her comments have sparked widespread public discussion about relationships, financial dynamics in marriage and the pressures faced by high-profile couples.
Life After Divorce
Rachel Kolisi has increasingly focused on her independent career, public speaking and charity work.
Despite the end of her marriage, she has indicated that co-parenting and family remain central priorities.
For Kolisi, keeping the surname is ultimately about continuity for her children and navigating everyday life without unnecessary complications.
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