Springboks captain Siya Kolisi opened up about his challenges with Afrikaans in school and reflected on his son Nicholas’ recent disappointment over the same subject.
In an Instagram video posted on Thursday, 5 February, Kolisi spoke candidly about how he, like many South Africans, struggled with the language.
“I’m waiting for my son. I’m doing school pick up. And I was just thinking, I had a conversation with him the other day. He was … disappointed about his school mark, his Afrikaans mark, he told me the mark that he got… and it is Afrikaans, and he was so disappointed,” Kolisi said.
The rugby star, who shares his 11-year-old son with estranged wife Rachel, admitted he would have done anything to get the mark his son received.
“I would have done so much to get the mark that he got. And he’s disappointed. I don’t know how to feel. Because I am happy that he wants to achieve more. But at the same time, Afrikaans and you’re complaining about that mark. I would have given anything, they chased me out of Afrikaans, that’s how bad Afrikaans was,” he added.
Despite the mixed emotions, Kolisi expressed pride in his son’s efforts and determination.
“But I’m happy… (he is) much more clever now. It hurt me to hear,” he said.
Fans and celebrities quickly responded to the post.
Lunga Shabalala joked, “😂 The dog bark button —>,” while Springbok player Jesse Kriel commented, “Vasbyt bhuda😂😮💨.”
Another fan, Lesley Ann Brant, shared her own experience: “😂 Same. My son is speaking French and I’m still discovering Afrikaans words.”