Separate Lives

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Siya Kolisi is clearly hungry After All , rugby -

This Week , in one of South Africa 's poorest communities, the work begins on a new rugby field for children to play.

On its own, The Field in Mbekweni youth centre in the vicinity of Cape Town do not feel very considerably could. But for South Africa 's first black rugby Captain , Siya Kolisi , it is the beginning of something.

Two months after his side to The World Cup victory, believes 28-year-old That his work outside of the playing field is always just as important as his work.

It is the celebrations That followed, the Springboks winning That Kolisi wants to hold on to. He told Radio 1 Newsbeat: "I've never seen anything like this in my life. That is why we do a lot of work to ensure That it maintains and continues.

"This is the momentum That you have got to use. Hopefully, we can do things, right Now , That could mean change for Decades . "

The moment in South Africa 's World champions Cup in Japan in 2019,

But he admits That it is only in The Last couple of days That he sat down to look back to That 32-12 victory over England.

"It was very special, because the period we are in as a country. We need him More Than any other. "

His motivation comes from his own remarkable story. Kolisi grew up in one of The Most disadvantaged parts of Port Elizabeth . He grew up with his grandmother, the kitchen cleaned, to ensure The Family survived. He had to go to one of his first rugby try in his boxer shorts, since he is no longer the correct kit.

There are even More of South Africa 's recent history, you need to understand the scale of the Kolisi history. The South African team won the 1995 World Cup had only one black player. The 2019 team had 12 in the team with him as Captain .

Chester Williams (second from right) was the only black player in the 1995 squad That won The World Cup

There are still a lot of work to do in a country where The Gap between rich and poor is so obvious - and what can make a man, like always, remains to be seen.

Historically, a much higher proportion of black South Africans lived in poverty. In The First half of The Last decade, the proportion of black and coloured (the ) People , the increases in poverty, according to the government's own data.

"I have More to do than just play, and I have said to do the platform to," Kolisi.

"Some only give financially, but for me, it means a lot to me, because where I come from, That shaped me as the person I Am today. "

"I'm only a little by him. I hope it inspires other People . "

This Week , a Radio 1 Newsbeat reporting on People , politics and culture of South Africa almost 30 years after Nelson Mandela 's release.

When we meet Siya , before he turns on his own and parks his car. There is no Entourage - a little surprise for one of The Most recognized names in The World of sports Now .

Siya says Jay-Z 's music is the kind of life That he grew up with

He is currently signed by Jay-Z's talent agency, Roc Nation , which he describes as "ridiculous".

"We listen to his music and his life is the way we grew up - what he had to fight. And he shares some of his music. "

It sounds like a great moment in the Kolisi story, but for him Maybe Not so great, as in Jürgen Klopp in Cape Town . Like many here, Kolisi is a huge Liverpool fan.

"I went to dinner with some friends, including Faf du Plessis (The South African cricket Captain ), he is a very close friend of mine and he saw me, never freak out like That . I almost fell out of my chair.

"I understand why his players for him to play like That - because of the person he is and how much he invested in other People .

Siya at Anfield in support of his beloved Liverpool

"It's just like coach Rassie (South African rugby coach Rassie Erasmus ). I think That coach is Rassie amazing. I could see the similarity of the two coaches. It is nice to work under him, because he plays the same level, how we play Now , and he always teaches some of his mistakes That he made, and the learning content and The Good things he has done. I would like to see how it would be if you meet. "

As well open The Project , the sports facilities, The Star is supporting the work on the improvement of the schools.

"I know what it feels like to not proper rugby fields and facilities. My goal is sure, That One Day play everyone has a fair Chance and all the schools play against each other, as children who are disadvantaged, boys from The Suburbs . "

He talks of football, cricket and netball as well.

"I want to start to open the computer rooms and improve the bathrooms also. When I was in school, she didn't want to go to the toilet, because The Bathroom was so horrible to change so we hope to be. "

There is huge ambition from Kolisi to bring change in South Africa - More Than 25 years after the end of apartheid, The Law , which forced communities To Live Separate Lives .

"I know, we have challenges, everyone does, but I can't sit here and complain and not moan, because of this change. This is a very beautiful country. In the areas where I grew up, areas, fight - the People are still happy, some are confident and all you want is a possibility. I hope That some can give us the opportunity.

"In everything I do, I want to South Africa you will be part of The Conversation . "

the Original interview of McGregor Nesta; on-line write-up by Paul Stanworth

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black interest, south africa

Source of news: bbc.com