Rachel and Siya Kolisi’s Divorce: Gareth Cliff Ignites Racism Debate with His Comments

• Gareth Cliff faces backlash after commenting on Siya and Rachel Kolisi's divorce, admitting he only recently realised Rachel is white
• Social media reactions were mixed, with some defending Cliff's honesty while others accused him of racism
• Fans expressed strong opinions, with some calling his statement racist and others dismissing the controversy as overblown

Gareth Cliff rubbed up Mzansi the wrong way when he gave his two cents to the controversial Siya and Rachel Kolisi's divorce. Cliff said he had never known Rachel was a white woman until recently.

Gareth Cliff faces backlash over Siya and Rachel's divorce comments

Social media has been on fire since Springboks captain Siya Kolisi and his wife Rachel's shocking divorce announcement. Many were stunned by the news, while others said they saw it coming.

Media personality Gareth Cliff was among the many people who weighed in on the news. Speaking during an episode of The Gareth Show, the star said he only realised Rachel was a white woman after their divorce announcement. He said:

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“It took me a long time to even realise that because I don't pay attention to sports, I don't watch a lot of sports and I don't read like, ‘YOU’ magazine, so I didn't even know, I thought Rachel was black for a long time until I saw a picture of her.”

Fans blast Gareth Cliff for his statement

Social media users shared mixed reactions to Gareth's statement. Some applauded him for being honest, while others accused him of being racist.

@Rabs2013 said:

"The problem is that People feels the "whiteness" is being undermined & needs to protect that...Tsek! Gareth did nothing wrong."

@Princes83314034 wrote:

"Exactly, what is SO controversial about that? Good lord these race grifters are truly insufferable 🙄"

@Jones12051375 commented:

"Yo to think I used to defend him. Tjerrrr this guy is racist."

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@Tiaan35009125 said:

"Ahhh, a white person! We can turn this onto a race issue... So utterly predictable, so utterly annoying, so main stream media."

@Mosky_Mothapo said:

"He's racist this one."

What you need to know about Gareth Cliff

Born on 26 August 1977 in Pretoria, media personality Gareth Rhydal Cliff attended Laddsworth Primary School from 1982 to 1990. He then studied at Sutherland High School in Pretoria from 1991 to 1995. Although he initially enrolled for a law degree at the University of Pretoria, he later switched to international politics and history, graduating in 1999.

While still in college, Rhydal interned at Tuks campus radio in 1996, but he was fired for making inappropriate comparisons about the sizes of black and white men's private parts on air. In 2001, he received support from Rina Broomberg and 702 host John Berks, which helped him secure a job at 702 when he was just 23 years old.

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Beyond the spotlight, Gareth has shown his dedication to his audience and passion for South Africa by actively supporting causes that matter to him. He serves as the ambassador for various educational initiatives and is a patron of Headway Gauteng.

Mama Joy weighs in on Siya and Rachel Kolisi's divorce

Meanwhile, Briefly News reported that media personality Joy Chauke, popularly known as Mama Joy, was roasted for her post after Siya and Rachel Kolisi's divorce announcement. Fans said she wanted to make the news about her.

Mama Joy was among the millions of South Africans shocked by Springboks captain Siya Kolisi's divorce announcement. The popular sports fanatic took to social media to share her thoughts.

Source: Briefly News