Rachel Kolisi, the wife of South African rugby captain Siya Kolisi, recently traveled to New York to attend the screening of “Rise: The Siya Kolisi Story” at the Tribeca Film Festival. The festival, which runs from June 7 to June 18, showcases a variety of influential documentaries. The film, directed by Tebogo Malope, chronicles the inspiring journey of Siya Kolisi, the first black South African rugby captain. Despite overwhelming odds, Siya led the national team to a victory in the 2019 World Cup Rugby, uniting his country.
“RISE – The Siya Kolisi Story”: A Documentary on the Life of the First Black South African Rugby Captain
by Tumi Makgale
“RISE The Siya Kolisi Story” is a documentary that tells the story of Siya Kolisi, the first black captain of South Africa’s national rugby team. Directed by Tebogo Malope, the film portrays Kolisi’s challenging upbringing in South Africa, marked by poverty, systemic racism, and violence, and the role rugby played in his life. The documentary goes beyond sports, highlighting his leadership both on and off the field, which has inspired a nation grappling with historical injustices.