Cape Town – Gareth Cliff has sparked controversy following his comments on Siya and Rachel Kolisi’s divorce during “The Gareth Cliff Show”.
Despite the couple’s statement that their split was a mutual decision made “from a place of love, respect, and understanding,” Cliff’s remarks, particularly about Rachel’s race, drew backlash.
Chatting to author Sunil Osman, he revealed he had only recently realised Rachel was white, as he doesn’t follow sports or celebrity news closely.
“I am heartbroken for Siya and Rachel Kolisi, weeahhh (crying sounds),” he said.
“Are you upset?” he asked Osman, who responded saying: “I am more upset, I’m going to get into trouble for this but I’m more upset for the coloured community.”
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Gareth then said: “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 sport and I don’t read like, ‘YOU’ magazine, so I didnt even know, I thought Rachel was black for a long time until I saw a picture of her.”
He continued: “I feel kind of sorry for Rachel and Siya just because they are in the public eye and now everybody is going to want (to know what’s going on).”
“I mean, they had to release this statement, like you know, we mutually have agreed to have a very adult conversation about this, you don’t have to use a lot of words.”
Osman then said: “Siya and Rachel would still be together if their marriage was arranged.”
And Gareth responded: “Maybe hey, that’s what we have learnt, go get your marriage arranged and then it will last.”
These comments were met with widespread criticism online, with many questioning the relevance of race in the conversation.
“As funny as this is, what does it have to do with the coloured community? Am I missing something?,” wrote @ brentliamc. :
@lee09_26 wrote: “It has nothing to do with black and white here. I don’t even know why that needed to be included.”
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Picture: X/ @BonganiStevenD
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
