Siya Kolisi’s Township Tour Reminds His Children and South Africa Not to Forget Their Roots

It’s one thing to wear the Springbok jersey with pride. It’s another to walk the dusty roads of your childhood, hand-in-hand with your kids, and remind them where it all began.

That’s exactly what Siya Kolisi did this week during a heartfelt visit to the informal settlement of Rolihlahla in Gqeberha, sharing the moment with his daughter Keziah and his sister Phelo. The township tour, captured in a TikTok video that’s since gone viral, has left South Africans feeling inspired and deeply moved.

“This is Phelo’s Hood”

In the clip, Siya gently teases his sister about her long blonde braids while walking through the neighbourhood behind Nelson Mandela University’s Missionvale Campus. “This is Phelo’s hood. This is where she lived,” he says, turning the moment into a spontaneous lesson in family history for his daughter.

It’s not just a walk through a township. It’s a return to places that carry memories — of struggle, of change, of resilience. As the family strolls past rows of informal dwellings under a winter sun, Kolisi reflects on how their mother’s house once stood on that very street before it was moved to make way for road development.

For residents of Rolihlahla, a place established in 1999 and still waiting for proper electricity and service delivery more than two decades later, Kolisi’s visit was more than symbolic. It was a quiet nod of solidarity from someone who hasn’t forgotten what it’s like to grow up without much.

A Journey from Zwide to the World Stage

Siya Kolisi’s own story is woven into the fabric of Gqeberha. Born and raised in nearby Zwide under challenging circumstances, it was a rugby scholarship to Grey Junior School that changed his life — a story that’s since become folklore in South African sport.

But despite his global stardom and World Cup heroics, Kolisi remains unapologetically connected to his community. And that connection runs deeper than nostalgia. It’s about making sure his children understand their heritage, not through textbooks, but through real streets and familiar faces.

Social Media Reacts: “A Rare Breed”

South Africans on TikTok have been full of praise for Kolisi’s humility. One commenter wrote, “When they become celebrities, they are scared to walk ekasi; Siya is a rare breed.” Another added, “The fact that you took them back as a reminder keeps the young ones grateful and humble.”

@michelelevin5 summed it up best: “This is what it’s all about. On the journey to the top, never forget your roots.”

A Bittersweet Chapter for the Kolisi Family

The trip to Gqeberha also marks a tender time for the Kolisi family. Siya and Rachel Kolisi announced their separation in October 2024, after nearly a decade of marriage. Yet both have continued to prioritise family, especially the well-being of their four children — including Siya’s younger siblings, Liyema and Phelo, whom the couple adopted in 2014 after the passing of Siya’s mother.

Rachel, who stayed behind while the kids visited their dad, shared a candid TikTok post reflecting on the challenges of co-parenting during a divorce. “It was hard,” she said, with a touch of humour about the 738 hours it took to get Phelo’s braids ready for the trip.

More Than Just a Visit

Kolisi’s walk through Rolihlahla wasn’t just a family moment — it was a reminder of how far he’s come, and how important it is to reach back while moving forward. In a country where public figures are often accused of losing touch with ordinary people, Kolisi continues to model something different: grounded greatness.

At a time when the nation grapples with service delivery failures, poverty and broken promises, his simple act of walking through the township becomes a powerful symbol — a reminder that dignity begins with remembering where we come from, and passing those lessons on to the next generation.

Source:IOL

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com