Culture Craze
Siya Kolisi Embodies Ubuntu with a New Sports Field for Zwide’s Youth
A Homecoming That Speaks to the Heart
In a world where fame often builds walls, Siya Kolisi keeps breaking them down. The Springboks captain returned to his hometown of Zwide, Gqeberha, to do what he’s always done best: unite, uplift, and inspire.
In a video shared across his social media, Kolisi beamed as he unveiled a multi-purpose sports field built for local schools through the Kolisi Foundation. The field, designed for both rugby and soccer, is more than just turf and posts; it’s a symbol of opportunity in a community that raised him.
Standing before the crowd, Kolisi reflected on the isiXhosa proverb that has defined his life: “Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu,” a person is a person through other people. It was a message that echoed through the crowd and online, reminding South Africans of the true spirit of Ubuntu.
A Field Built from Faith and Gratitude
Kolisi shared his excitement online, writing, “A special day with the Kolisi Foundation in Zwide. We opened a new rugby/soccer field and multipurpose court for local schools. Thank you to our partners for investing in our youth.”
The video captured him laughing, running, and playing with schoolchildren from the area; the kind of genuine, unfiltered joy that comes from giving back. For the kids, it wasn’t just about sport. It was about seeing someone from their own streets return as proof that dreams can take root even in the toughest soil.
The People’s Captain
Social media lit up with admiration. One user commented, “I love how you don’t forget where you come from. When I grow up, I want to be like you.” Another added in isiXhosa, “Ayikho indawo edlula ikhaya lakho” (there’s no place better than home).
Others praised his humility and authenticity. “Your name will go down in the history books, mfethu. Such an inspiration to the world, not only apha emzansi,” wrote one supporter.
These messages reflect what Kolisi has always represented: pride without pretence, success without forgetting the struggle.
@siyakolisi Umntu ngumntu ngabantu ♥️ A special day with the Kolisi Foundation in Zwide. We opened a new rugby/soccer field & multipurpose court for local schools. Thank you to our partners for investing in our youth 🙏🏾♥️ #Siyaphakama #KolisiFoundation #SiyaKolisi #Gqeberha ♬ original sound – Onset Music Group OMG
Remembering His Roots
Kolisi has never hidden where he comes from. Growing up in the township of Zwide, he faced poverty and hardship but found hope through rugby. His talent earned him a scholarship to Grey Junior School, a life-changing opportunity that opened doors far beyond his imagination.
Even now, he continues to honour that journey. Earlier this year, he took his children on a tour through the Rolihlahla informal settlement, showing them where their family once lived. Named after Nelson Mandela’s birth name, the area has battled poverty for decades, yet it remains filled with warmth, laughter, and resilience.
In the video, Kolisi’s tone was playful but tender as he teased his sister, Phelo, while walking the same dusty streets he grew up on. It was a quiet reminder that no matter how global his fame becomes, home will always be his grounding force.
Ubuntu in Action
Through projects like the Zwide sports field, Kolisi continues to live out the philosophy that shaped him: that community is not just where we come from, but what we owe forward. His story is no longer just about rugby glory. It’s about using that platform to build something lasting for those who will come after him.
And in that dusty Gqeberha township, with children running barefoot on a brand-new field, Ubuntu is alive and well, because Siya Kolisi never left it behind.
Also read: Litlhonolofatso Litlhakanyane Wins Best Actor Award at Morocco Film Festival
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: The Japan Times
