Author and director Rachel Kolisi, the ex-wife of Springboks captain Siya Kolisi, shared a touching Instagram post of the many lasts she will have with Liphelo this year.
RACHEL KOLISI ON SIYA’S SISTER’S FINAL YEARS OF SCHOOL
Rachel Kolisi took to Instagram to share a carousel of photos with Liphelo Madlingozi, who is Siya Kolisi’s half sister. In the post, Rachel reflected on how many “lasts” she captured of Liphelo’s as she is currently in matric, her last year of School.
Siya and Rachel legally adopted Liphelo, and her brother Liyema in 2014. Rachel has been a mother figure to both Liyema and Liphelo since. Siya and Rachel also have two children together – Nicholas (12) and Keziah (9).
“A lot of lasts this year 😭♥️,” she wrote.
SIYA AND RACHEL LEGALLY ADOPTED HIS SIBLINGS
Liyema and Liphelo were reportedly left bouncing from orphanages to foster homes after their mother and father passed away. Siya and Rachel officially adopted his siblings in 2014, when they were financially stable enough to do so.
Siya reportedly found his siblings in foster care in Zwide – a township in Gqeberha. Siya explained that when he went to see his siblings, his sister didn’t know him.
“My little sister didn’t know me. She had been crawling when I last saw her. I told the woman taking care of them that I was going to take them for December holidays that year, which I did. But afterwards I said I can’t send them back,” he said according to reports.
“I had to go through a legal process, which I started after that holiday. It took about 18 months, but I finally legally adopted them,” he continued.
It’s been 12 years since Rachel and Siya adopted Liyema and Liphelo. Back in 2024, Rachel reflected on it being 10 years with the brother and sister duo.
“While celebrating Liphelo’s birthday last week, and having all 4 kids home for the weekend, we reflected on the fact that almost to the day, 10 years ago, Liphelo and Liyema came to spend a week with us in Cape Town to see that they were comfortable to make the move and come stay with us forever,” she wrote.
“I was 24 years old Nic was 3 months old, Liphelo had just turned 7 and Liyema 12. 10 years, of the greatest gift God could have ever given me,” she continued.
Siya, amongst other South Africans have spoken out about Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the country.