Internet user sparks gender wars after calling Siya Kolisi ‘damaged goods’

by Nomonde Simelane

Rachel and Siya Kolisi’s announcement of their divorce two days ago has had unimaginable effects in South Africa. It has caused chaos and mayhem as the nation comes to terms with this split that feels more personal than any other celebrity break-up. Unfortunately, it appears some gender wars have ensued after an X(formerly Twitter) user referred to Siya as ‘damaged goods’.

Although Mzansi is essentially in mourning after hearing the news of the Kolisi divorce, it is unsurprising that one of the conversations to come out of this ordeal is the ‘ladies and the gays’ fawning over Siya with the recent developments technically making Siya a free man.

Although some users echoed Sisa’s sentiments, one user, @SimplyGontse, did not agree, highlighting the baggage that Siya now carries as a divorced father of “four children”. Gontse went as far as labelling Siya as “damaged goods” because of this.

This post triggered a sort of gender war, as Gonste made the point that this sentiment is often directed towards women, and should either be done away with or applied to both genders instead. This did not sit well with Siya’s supporters, who the majority of are men, quickly came to his defence to say this logic only applies to women and not men.

Continuing, they highlighted Siya’s wealth, physical appearance and overall status as a rebuttal to Gontse’s argument, claiming that men are not held to the same standards by society.

This conversation revealed the larger issue of a problematic and misogynistic mindset that men in South Africa possess, which often manifests itself in the extremely high rates of GBV that women are often subjected to.

Also see: Mama Joy misses the mark with her take on Siya and Rachel Kolisi’s divorce