In a memorable ceremony at North-West University (NWU) on Monday, Springbok captain Siya Kolisi was honoured with a residence on the Potchefstroom campus being renamed in his honour. The residence, now known as Kolisi Residence, will primarily house rugby players from the NWU Rugby Institute. According to TimesLIVE, the event also saw the opening of the Invictus Residence, a multi-sport facility on campus, inaugurated by Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus, who has also received an honorary doctorate from the university.
Together, the two residences will accommodate 204 students. The ceremony was attended by students, faculty, and staff, all of whom celebrated Kolisi’s remarkable journey.
Reflecting on the honour, Kolisi expressed his deep gratitude. “No-one ever dreams of moments like this, to have a building named after them. I am so honoured and grateful. I would like to thank everyone who has been a part of my journey. I am standing on the shoulders of many people who helped me be where I am today,” he said.
During his speech, Kolisi offered words of wisdom to the students, urging them to push through adversity and keep working hard. “Your opportunities are not just for you. Your blessings are not just for you,” he said, stressing the importance of using their time at university wisely.
Kolisi also spoke passionately about education, encouraging students to pursue their academic goals. “I know that you all are on a journey and that you want to become rugby players. But remember that you are more than that. You have an opportunity to study, and I wish that I had used that opportunity. I didn’t. Rugby is not always going to work for everybody, so make use of all your opportunities,” he advised.
In a powerful message of self-belief and resilience, Kolisi added, “If you want to take anything from my journey, it is that you have to believe in yourself before anyone else. If you fail, you have to get up and don’t stay down. You have to keep on getting up. The more you get up, the more you learn. Just be good people. I haven’t always been the best example, but I am learning every day. Be kind to one another. Be there for one another.”
Prof Bismark Tyobeka, the university’s principal and vice-chancellor, reflected on the lasting legacy of Kolisi and Erasmus. “Is there an image that resonates more with rugby fans the world over than that of Siya Kolisi leading the Springboks onto the field? I don’t think so,” he said. Tyobeka also highlighted Kolisi’s influence off the field, noting, “Siya Kolisi’s story is one that transcends sport. It is a story of perseverance and the undeniable power of opportunity. From humble beginnings in Zwide, where he first picked up a rugby ball, to leading South Africa to not one, but two Rugby World Cup victories, Siya has become more than a rugby player, he is a symbol of hope and possibility. We celebrate you, Nt’wakuthi.”
Renaming the residence after Kolisi, Tyobeka emphasized, was not just a celebration of his sporting achievements, but also a tribute to the values of hard work, humility, and unity that Kolisi embodies. “Siya Kolisi’s story is not just about winning titles; it is about the values he represents: hard work, humility, and the ability to unite a nation,” he said.
