South Africa – Gareth Cliff, the outspoken former 5FM radio host, has once again stirred the pot with his comments about the recent separation of Siya and Rachel Kolisi. Following the couple’s shock announcement that they are parting ways after years of marriage, Cliff found himself at the center of a social media storm. His remarks, particularly about Rachel’s race and the public’s obsession with the breakup, ignited a firestorm of outrage across the country. Now, in true Gareth Cliff fashion, he’s responded to the backlash, doubling down on his position while throwing in a few jokes about the Kolisi’s divorce settlement.
Gareth Cliff, who has made a name for himself as a provocateur, sparked fury when he claimed that he wasn’t aware that Rachel Kolisi was white until the couple’s divorce announcement. This statement immediately set social media ablaze, with critics accusing him of making a racially charged comment that had no place in a discussion about a couple’s personal life.
During a recent episode of his YouTube show, Cliff addressed the uproar head-on, calling out the public for getting too emotionally involved in the Kolisis’ private matters. He argued that people were overreacting to a situation that had nothing to do with them.
“Rachel and Siya Kolisi breaking up has nothing to do with you. You are not Rachel or Siya, so stay out of their marriage. Stop pretending that you’re going to have a breakdown because they’re not together anymore,” Cliff said, defending his earlier remarks and dismissing the drama as unnecessary.
He further explained that, as public figures, the Kolisis’ lives were under constant scrutiny, but that didn’t justify the overwhelming emotional responses from the public. According to Cliff, it was a simple case of a couple going through a personal issue that should remain private.
Amid the intense backlash, Cliff couldn’t resist injecting a bit of humour into the situation, joking about what the Kolisi divorce settlement might look like. In his signature irreverent style, he quipped that Rachel might end up with half of Siya’s trophies in the settlement.
“Even if she gets half the trophies, she still has more than most countries,” Cliff joked, clearly poking fun at the high-profile nature of the Kolisis’ marriage. This comment, while lighthearted, has only fuelled the ongoing debate about the role of the media and the public in the lives of celebrities.
As expected, Cliff’s latest commentary has sparked a mixed reaction across social media. While some are applauding him for calling out the public’s obsession with the Kolisis’ personal life, others are more critical of his remarks, especially his comment about Rachel’s race.
