Cape Town – Rachel Kolisi has sparked a conversation about inclusion, transformation and the role of sport in bringing communities together after encouraging more schools to play rugby matches in townships.
The social media personality and philanthropist recently shared her thoughts after accompanying her son, Nicholas, to a rugby match in Langa, Cape Town, where his team played against a side from the local community.
Taking to TikTok, Kolisi posted footage from the match and reflected on the significance of exposing young athletes to environments and communities that may differ from their own.
She praised the experience and suggested that more schools and sports clubs should consider arranging similar fixtures, highlighting sport’s unique ability to bridge social and cultural divides.
“My son played a rugby match in Langa yesterday, against a team from the community, and I’m here for it,” she wrote.
@rachelkolisiMy son played a rugby match in Langa yesterday, against a team from the community, and I’m here for it. Watching kids play sport is always special. Watching them do it in spaces that may be different from their own feels even more important. We should be doing more of this, because sport has the power to break down barriers. I’m curious, how often do your schools or sports clubs play in communities different from their own? What impact do you think it has on the children involved?♬ sonido original – 𝓲𝓼𝓶𝓪𝓪_𝓵𝔂𝓻𝓲𝓬𝓼
“Watching kids play sport is always special. Watching them do it in spaces that may be different from their own feels even more important.”
Kolisi said initiatives such as these can play a meaningful role in fostering understanding and breaking down barriers among young people from different backgrounds.
“We should be doing more of this, because sport has the power to break down barriers,” she added.
She also invited parents, coaches and schools to reflect on their own experiences, asking how often sports teams compete in communities different from their own and what impact such interactions have on the children involved.
“I’m curious, how often do your schools or sports clubs play in communities different from their own? What impact do you think it has on the children involved?” she asked.
Her comments have reignited discussion around the role of school sport in promoting social cohesion and creating opportunities for young people from diverse communities to connect through shared experiences.
For Kolisi, the match in Langa was more than just a game of rugby. It was an example of how sport can help build understanding, challenge perceptions and create meaningful connections between communities that may not otherwise interact.
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Picture: Instagram/ Rachel Kolisi
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
