Siya Kolisi wants to give others hope

Bok skipper relates tale of a tough background in film

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi says he wants his upcoming documentary, Rise – The Siya Kolisi Story, to give hope to people. He held a pre-screening of the documentary on Saturday in Zwide, Gqeberha, where he grew up.

Like many South Africans, Kolisi comes from an impoverished background. The Bok captain took the media and his partners on a tour of where he grew up, from the small family house in Zwide, to his late mother’s shack in the informal settlement of Rolihlahla, to the fields of Grey High School that shaped his rugby career.

The documentary paints a picture of how tough life was for Kolisi growing up; his father Fezakele shared how it was difficult for them.

“Siya grew up hard. We were never a family that was wealthy money-wise but God changed things and he’s able to help people just like we used to get help from people. It was bad, sometimes we would wake up not knowing what we were going to eat,” Kolisi senior told Sowetan outside their family home.

In the film, Kolisi details how they would drink sugar water at night to fill their stomach, to indulging in substances at the age of nine, developed an alcoholism problem, seeing his mother being abused, and how complex his relationship with his father was.

The documentary premiered in front of 1,000 people who chuckled when Kolisi explained how to use a long drop toilet with a newspaper being your tissue. Some members of the audience laughed because they could relate.

For the Bok captain, it was important for the people of Zwide to see the documentary first because it’s also their story and it can motivate them to not throw in the towel in the face of adversity.

“It all started here and they are the first to see this story and I wanted to motivate them, especially during these tough circumstances we’re experiencing in SA,” said Kolisi.

“I want children who are growing up in townships, not just Zwide, all townships, and people who are poor to understand that we also come from these parts. As long you don’t give up, be strong, look forward, and block out negative things, opportunities will be available in time.

“The opportunities must find you ready. A black child needs to see another black person who grew up in the same environment as I did can make it. The most important thing is representation, which we don’t talk about but is important. I want this story to leave people hopeful,” he said.

Rise – The Siya Kolisi Story will broadcast on February 26 across five Dstv channels.