Rachel Kolisi has shown her support for Liphelo, the younger sister of her former husband Siya Kolisi, as the teenager finishes school. Rachel shared the message in an Instagram post on Saturday, 17 October.
The post marked Liphelo’s valedictory day, the farewell event for learners at the end of their final school year. Siya’s sister is coming to the end of her schooling career, according to The South African.
“Happy valedictory day babes. 2 down 2 to go!” Rachel wrote in the post.
Fans flooded the comments section with kind words for Rachel. Many praised her for staying close to the family and backing the children.
“Great support from you. Keep on with your good work,” one Instagram user wrote. Another user said Rachel was doing a great job and added, “They will never forget your constant love and support.”
Some fans also sent blessings. “God bless you, sweetheart,” one follower wrote, wishing Rachel favour and grace. Another congratulated Liphelo directly and wrote, “Well done to Phelo.” The same fan also complimented Rachel on her new look.
Siya Kolisi has two half-siblings, Liyema and Liphelo. After their mother and father died, the two children were reportedly moved between orphanages and foster homes.
Siya reportedly found them in foster care in Zwide, a township in Gqeberha. He has said his sister did not recognise him when he went to visit.
“My little sister didn’t know me. She had been crawling when I last saw her,” he said, according to reports. He said he told their carer he would take them for the December holidays, and afterwards he could not send them back.
“I had to go through a legal process, which I started after that holiday. It took about 18 months, but I finally legally adopted them,” Siya said.
Siya and Rachel officially adopted the brother and sister in 2014, once they were financially able to do so. That was 12 years ago.
In 2024, Rachel marked 10 years since the siblings joined the family. She said the pair first spent a week with the couple in Cape Town to see if they were happy to move in for good.
“I was 24 years old, Nic was 3 months old, Liphelo had just turned 7 and Liyema 12,” Rachel wrote at the time. She called the 10 years “the greatest gift God could have ever given me”.
Source: this article is based on reporting by The South African. Image: The South African. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Entertainment desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Rirhandzu Baloyi writes about entertainment for Tzaneen Voice. Rirhandzu covers South African music, film, TV, streaming, awards and celebrity news, from amapiano and local soapies to Showmax and Netflix releases. Stories stick to what happened, who was involved and when fans can watch or listen.