Rachel Kolisi: A Fitness Influencer with a Cause

4 mins read
philanthropy social justice

Rachel Kolisi, a fitness influencer from South Africa, is committed to social justice and has founded the Kolisi Foundation with her husband Siya Kolisi. The foundation aims to uplift the disadvantaged and has partnered with the Saartjie Baartman Centre to combat gender-based violence. Rachel has created #Power2You bags to empower women and children with tools to resist GBV, symbolizing a transition from victimhood to survivorship and activism. Her tireless work highlights the impact of empathy and compassion in creating a more fair world and shows that joint efforts can tackle societal problems.

Who is Rachel Kolisi and what is her cause?

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Rachel Kolisi is a fitness influencer from South Africa who has combined her passion for fitness with a commitment to social justice. She is married to Springbok rugby star Siya Kolisi and together they founded the Kolisi Foundation to uplift the disadvantaged. Rachel has initiated a partnership with the Saartjie Baartman Centre to combat gender-based violence and has created #Power2You bags to empower women and children with tools to resist GBV. Her tireless work exemplifies the impact of empathy and compassion in creating a more fair world.

Rachel Kolisi, the vibrant persona and fitness influencer from South Africa, shines as a symbol of inspiration and empowerment. Married to the Springbok rugby star, Siya Kolisi, she has skillfully combined her passion for fitness with a steady resolve to improve society. Together, they form a formidable team linked by their shared pledge to social justice, which led to the creation of the Kolisi Foundation in 2019. Since its establishment, the foundation has initiated countless projects to uplift the disadvantaged.

Championing Social Justice

Rachel, a loving mother of two, symbolizes fortitude. In the face of the rising tide of gender-based violence (GBV) that plagues South Africa, she courageously initiated a daring project. This occurred following her family’s move from South Africa to France, where she supports her husband’s sports career and helps their children adapt to their new setting. However, this demanding personal situation has in no way affected her commitment to philanthropy.

Rachel recently made the exciting announcement that the Kolisi Foundation has formed a partnership with the renowned Saartjie Baartman Centre. The goal of this collaboration is to provide women and children with the resources to combat GBV, thus enabling them to regain their rightful societal positions.

In an emotional Instagram update, Rachel shared her joy about this new endeavor, saying, “So proud and excited to share this amazing project between the Kolisi Foundation and Saartjie Baartman Centre,” recognizing the crucial role women play in supporting each other through common hardships.

Power2You: A Symbol of Empowerment

This inventive initiative includes the creation of #Power2You bags, each painstakingly put together by GBV survivors. The official Kolisi Foundation page explains the purpose of these packs, stating, “These Power2You packs are designed to give women the tools they need to take a stand against gender-based violence.”

Every pack serves as both a symbolic and practical shield against GBV. It contains various items aimed at equipping and empowering the user, such as pepper spray, an emergency whistle, an information-filled journal with space for personal reflections, and a card with essential emergency and support contact numbers.

These packs, aptly named, encapsulate the spirit of empowerment. They are more than just holders of practical items; they represent a transition from victimhood to survivorship, and from survivorship to activism. Each bag symbolizes the transformation of a survivor’s story into a beacon of hope, lighting the way for others in their fight against gender-based violence.

A Testament to Collaborative Efforts

The collaboration between the Kolisi Foundation and the Saartjie Baartman Centre demonstrates the power of joint efforts to tackle societal problems. Their shared project, the #Power2You initiative, represents a powerful symbol of resistance against gender-based violence, envisioning a future where every woman possesses the tools to defend her dignity and rights.

Through her tireless work, Rachel Kolisi has shown that philanthropy isn’t just a hobby but a mission to uplift others. She has used her platform to highlight the struggles of GBV survivors, leveraging her influence to bring about real change. Despite relocating to France, her heart remains with her homeland, as evidenced by her determined efforts to lead initiatives aimed at improving the lives of South African women and children.

Rachel Kolisi is more than just a fitness influencer or the spouse of a famous rugby player. She is a catalyst for change, a messenger of hope, and a living proof of the impact of empathy and compassion in creating a more fair world.

1. Who is Rachel Kolisi and what is her cause?

Rachel Kolisi is a fitness influencer from South Africa who is committed to social justice. She is married to Springbok rugby star Siya Kolisi and together they founded the Kolisi Foundation to uplift the disadvantaged. Rachel has initiated a partnership with the Saartjie Baartman Centre to combat gender-based violence and has created #Power2You bags to empower women and children with tools to resist GBV.

2. What is the Kolisi Foundation?

The Kolisi Foundation is a philanthropic organization founded by Rachel and Siya Kolisi to uplift the disadvantaged. It aims to create a more fair world through various initiatives, including a partnership with the Saartjie Baartman Centre to combat gender-based violence.

3. What is the Saartjie Baartman Centre?

The Saartjie Baartman Centre is a renowned organization in South Africa that provides shelter, support, and empowerment to women and children who are victims of abuse and gender-based violence. It has partnered with the Kolisi Foundation to combat GBV.

4. What are #Power2You bags?

Power2You bags are bags created by GBV survivors that contain various items aimed at equipping and empowering women to resist GBV. Each bag contains pepper spray, an emergency whistle, an information-filled journal, and a card with essential emergency and support contact numbers.

5. What is the goal of the #Power2You initiative?

The goal of the #Power2You initiative is to provide women and children with the resources to combat gender-based violence, thus enabling them to regain their rightful societal positions. It aims to empower women and children to resist GBV and to symbolize a transition from victimhood to survivorship and activism.

6. What does Rachel Kolisi’s work demonstrate?

Rachel Kolisi’s work demonstrates the impact of empathy and compassion in creating a more fair world. She has shown that joint efforts can tackle societal problems and that philanthropy isn’t just a hobby but a mission to uplift others. Despite relocating to France, her heart remains with her homeland, as evidenced by her determined efforts to lead initiatives aimed at improving the lives of South African women and children.

Sarah Kendricks is a Cape Town journalist who covers the city’s vibrant food scene, from township kitchens reinventing heritage dishes to sustainable fine-dining at the foot of Table Mountain. Raised between Bo-Kaap spice stalls and her grandmother’s kitchen in Khayelitsha, she brings a lived intimacy to every story, tracing how a plate of food carries the politics, migrations and memories of the Cape.

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