Rachel Kolisi, businesswoman, wife of Springbok captain Siya Kolisi and one of South Africa’s favourite celebrities, was diagnosed with COVID-19 on December 28, 2020. Since then, she has come out and announced that two more members of the Kolisi family have tested positive.

Keziah, the family’s youngest daughter, and Siya’s sister Liphelo have also tested positive for the coronavirus.

While Keziah (3) is not displaying any symptoms, Liphelo – who is 13 years old – is having a harder time as she is exhibiting and battling what Rachel calls “full-on adult symptoms”.

“We tested the whole family to make sure everyone was healthy and safe. Liphelo and Keziah tested positive. The virus — I don’t know what strain of it — but Covid is definitely affecting the kids too. Liphelo has full-on adult symptoms and it’s been rough. Keziah, praise the Lord, didn’t have any symptoms at all and is her usual happy self,” Rachel said on Instagram.

 

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According to the businesswoman, they were advised that those under the age of 13 cannot spread the virus.

“I finished 14 days in isolation (10 is the recommended period) but I didn’t feel ready to be out yet so I did a few more days. My taste and smell are slowly returning but definitely not there yet. My throat is sore, I still sound like I have sinus and I still run out of breath really quickly but the pain in my chest is starting to ease up on day 10,” she said on her recovery from her own COVID-19 diagnosis.

“Loving them through a window has been excruciating. Every time they hurt themselves and my immediate reaction has been to get up and go to them then I realize I can’t leave the room. And the days they’ve stood outside begging me to touch, kiss and hold them because they don’t understand. Honestly, it’s been one of the hardest things I’ve experienced as a parent.”

 

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Picture: Rachel Kolisi/Facebook

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Lucinda is a hard news writer who occasionally dabbles in lifestyle writing, and recent journalism graduate. She is a proud intersectional feminist, and is passionate about actively creating a world which is free of discrimination and inequality.