Rachel Kolisi explains why she’s keeping Siya Kolisi’s surname after divorce

Rachel says she is not changing her surname after divorce from Siya Kolisi

Businesswoman and philanthropist Rachel Kolisi has addressed questions surrounding her decision to keep the surname of her former husband, Siya Kolisi, following their divorce.

Rachel has recently been open about her healing journey while also promoting her upcoming documentary, Falling Forward.

However, some social media users have criticised the project, suggesting she is using her separation from the Springbok captain to elevate her career.

According to the documentary’s official description, the film does not centre on the couple’s divorce.

Speaking in a recent interview, Rachel clarified that her choice to keep the Kolisi surname is largely practical, especially when it comes to raising and travelling with their children.

“My children share the same surname as me, and travelling with my children, because they are brown, is already a big challenge. Sometimes I get stopped at gates and people want to double-check certain things, so it would be a really big challenge for me, so I’m keeping my surname,” she explained.

She added that questions about her relationship to her own children have already been a frequent experience.

“It’s also just the amount of times I’ve been asked ‘are those your kids’, and I’m just, like, ‘yes they are my kids’, and so if I change my surname it’s going to be just as challenging.”

Rachel and Siya share two biological children and also adopted Siya’s younger siblings, Liyema and Liphelo, after the death of their mother.

As the former couple continue navigating co-parenting, Rachel said she hopes people will eventually stop defining her solely through her past marriage.

“I actually want to move past this narrative. I want to move past this story. People have pinned me to who I was married to, and who I was divorced from. 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,” she said.

Although Siya has reportedly moved on with a new partner, Rachel shared that she is currently comfortable focusing on herself rather than pursuing another relationship.

“I’m good by myself. I don’t think I’ve ever been better by myself. Why is it considered moving on only when you are with someone else? Why is your value only attached when you’re with someone else?” she said.