Siya Kolisi documentary set for Zwide premiere

The Siya Kolisi documentary will premiere at the end of February. Photo: SuperSport

New Kolisi film to premiere at special screening in his home township

The Zwide community in the Eastern Cape will be treated to a screening of a documentary depicting Siya Kolisi’s life a month before the film’s release.

Siya Kolisi documentary set for Zwide premiere

The Siya Kolisi documentary will premiere at the end of February. Photo: SuperSport

The village community of Zwide in the Eastern Cape will be treated to a private pre-screening of the documentary depicting Siya Kolisi’s life a month before the film’s official release.

An intensely personal new documentary, Rise: The Siya Kolisi Story, will reveal a different side to the Springboks captain.

It tells the tale of Kolisi’s upbringing and tracks his path from hopeless boy to captain of the Springboks and one of the most influential sports people ever.

Rise: The Siya Kolisi Story will premiere on DStv in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa on 26 February, offering exclusive insights into the making of the man, both on and off the rugby field.

ALSO READ | New Siya Kolisi documentary soon to be released

But when the idea of a film of his life was pitched to Kolisi, his primary condition was that the very first viewing take place in the township he grew up in, Zwide, in the Eastern Cape; and that proceeds made from the documentary be channeled back to the community and various worthy causes supported by the Kolisi family.

The point of Kolisi’s request was that he wanted to demonstrate that his story is the story of the
community.

So on Saturday, 28 January, a month before the documentary is broadcast on DStv, 1000 people in Kolisi’s
hometown will get to watch Kolisi’s homage to those who formed part of his remarkable story.

Moreover, tickets for the screening at Isaac Booi Senior Primary School in Zwide are free. And Kolisi himself will be in attendance for a question-and-answer session prior to the screening of the documentary.

Commenting on this deeply personal decision, Kolisi said: “For me, some of my best memories are from the township, and it’s the people in my community who motivate me every day.”

“I now have the platform to hopefully be able to change the stories of those kids growing up in similar
circumstances, but at the same time the biggest thing for me is to change the mindset while they’re still
living in tough conditions.”

“I wanted to showcase South Africa because it’s such a beautiful country, but I also wanted
to authentically show viewers what the township looks like and how more people need to come and
invest in these areas.”
Kolisi added.

ALSO READ | SIYA KOLISI’S UPCOMING MOVE TO FRENCH CLUB CONFIRMED

RISE: THE SIYA KOLISI STORY DELVES DEEP:

Not only does the documentary — which was facilitated by world-renowned agency Roc Nation Sports
International — delve deeply into Kolisi’s improbable rise to international stardom as he led the country
to a World Cup victory as the first black Test captain of the Springboks, it also takes an unashamed look
into his personal life.

He shares the story of his complicated relationship with his father, his struggle with alcoholism and his
journey with wife Rachel in this intimate film.

“Siya’s story is rich in excitement, drama, inspiration and joy; qualities with which we can all identify,”
said Marc Jury, chief executive of SuperSport. “This film is nuanced and shows a side of Siya that is
seldom seen, a side that will give hope to many.”

Rise Siya Kolisi Story to premiere in Zwide in Eastern Cape.
Rise: The Siya Kolisi Story will premiere in Zwide, where he grew up.