ラグビー主将コリシ離婚　南アフリカにショック広がる

【ヨハネスブルクＡＦＰ＝時事】ラグビー南アフリカ代表キャプテンのシヤ・コリシと妻のレイチェルさんが２２日遅くに離婚を発表した。国内屈指の有名カップルの破局に、南アフリカでは発表から一夜明けた２３日、ショックが走っている。（写真は、ラグビーＷ杯フランス大会決勝、ニュージーランド対南アフリカ。表彰式で妻のレイチェルさん〈右〉ら家族と写真を撮る南アフリカのシヤ・コリシ〈左から３人目〉）
　コリシとレイチェルさんは肌の色が違うカップルで、「レインボーネーション」と呼ばれる南アフリカの象徴的な存在だった。
　二人はインスタグラムで「熟考を重ね、率直に話し合い、結婚生活に終止符を打つことを一緒に決めた。愛とリスペクト、そしてこれがお互いにとって最善の道であることを理解した上での決断」とコメントを発表した。
　３３歳のコリシは南アフリカ代表初の黒人主将で、２０１９年からＷ杯連覇を果たし、ラグビー界だけでなく国内全体で高い注目を集める。昨年のＷ杯フランス大会の後は仏トップ１４のラシン９２に所属していたが、「家族が南アフリカを恋しがっていた。帰国するときが来た」として先月に契約を途中で解除。国内の古巣シャークスに復帰していた。
　白人のレイチェルさんとは２０１６年に結婚。南アフリカではアパルトヘイト（人種隔離政策）が廃止されて３０年がたった今も人種間の緊張が続くが、二人の結婚に当時の国内は沸いた。
　二人の破局はトップニュースとして扱われ、全国紙は「シヤ、レイチェル・コリシの離婚にムザンシ（南アフリカの俗称）が心痛」と伝えた。
　ソーシャルメディアでも悲しみの声が広がり、「あしたは国全体で家族休暇を取らないと。私たちは打ちひしがれている」「ネルソン（・マンデラ元大統領）とウィニー（マンデラ氏の前妻）が別れて以来、最も悲劇的な破局」といった投稿が見られた。
　夫妻の間には２人の子どもがいる。離婚の発表にあたり、二人は子どもを育てていく上で「今後も最高の友人で、献身的なパートナーであることに変わりはない」と述べている。【翻訳編集ＡＦＰＢＢＮｅｗｓ】
〔ＡＦＰ＝時事〕（2024/10/24-17:00）

South Africans were stunned Wednesday after news emerged that one of the country's most prominent couples, Springbok rugby captain Siya Kolisi and his wife Rachel, were divorcing.
The mixed-race celebrity couple who were a symbol of the rainbow nation made a joint announcement late Tuesday on Instagram.
After much reflection and open conversations, we have mutually decided to end our marriage. This decision comes from a place of love, respect, and understanding that this is the best path forward for both of us, said the statement.
Kolisi, 33, holds superstar status at home and around the rugby world as the first black man to lead the Springboks, captaining them to two World Cup titles in 2019 and 2023 as well as this year's Rugby Championship.
After last year's World Cup final in Paris, he stayed in France to play for Racing 92 but cut short his contract last month to return to Durban-based Sharks.
My family have missed South Africa and it is time to come home, he said at the time.
His marriage to a white woman, Rachel Smith, in 2016, captivated South Africa, a country where racial tensions are still rife three decades after the end of apartheid.
The News24 website said they appeared to embody the nation's aspirations with their ease in embracing each other and each other's cultures.
Their marriage had become a symbol of love, diversity, and overcoming the odds in the hope of achieving excellence.
Their split has grabbed the headlines, with national outlets writing: Siya and Rachel: The fairytale that wasn't to be and Siya and Rachel Kolisi's divorce leaves Mzansi (a colloquial name for South Africa) heartbroken.
South Africans have also taken to social media to express their sadness over the news.
We need to take family responsibility leave tomorrow as a country. We are shattered, one person posted on X.
Others said it was the most tragic split South Africans have witnessed since Nelson (Mandela) and mama Winnie and compared the separation to the divorce of a royal couple, but one that is actually useful, loved and makes a difference.
Kolisi, who grew up in a township near the city of Port Elizabeth, since renamed Gqeberha, described the rocky beginnings of his relationship with Rachel in his autobiography, Rise.
The couple have two children and adopted two of Kolisi's younger siblings.
When announcing their divorce, they said that they remain great friends and committed partners in raising their children.