Rachel Kolisi, the former wife of Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, has filed papers with the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), challenging her “constructive dismissal” from the Kolisi Foundation.
The former rugby WAG stepped down as CEO of the organisation she co-founded in 2019 on the eve of the Rugby World Cup final.
RACHEL KOLISI TAKES CHARITY FOUNDATION TO CCMA
According to papers filed with the CCMA, Rachel Kolisi is challenging the Kolisi Foundation board over allegations that it made her position as CEO “intolerable.”
The papers claim that Rachel “resigned because the employer acted unfairly and made continued employment intolerable.”
A “constructive dismissal” occurs when an employee is “forced to resign,” effectively constituting an “unfair dismissal.”
She is seeking “reinstatement and/or compensation.”
Last month, the public learned that Rachel Kolisi had stepped down from her leadership role at the Kolisi Foundation.
Although the foundation did not officially announce the news, it was revealed through another foundation, the anti-gender-based violence NGO, The Justice Desk.
It shared on Instagram of the former partner of Siya Kolisi: “We were saddened to hear that she will no longer be CEO of the Kolisi Foundation, but we know she will continue to do incredible things. Rachel, you will always be a GBV activist at heart, and your impact will be felt for years to come”.
The NGO wished Rachel Kolisi well on her “next chapter.”
DID DIVORCE HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT?
Following the announcement of her divorce less than six months ago, Rachel Kolisi removed the word “wife” from her Instagram bio.
And since stepping down from the charity, she also removed the title “CEO of Kolisi Foundation.
Her bio now reads: “Student, Mom, Speaker, and Director.”
Despite the announcement of their split, the Kolisi Foundation maintained that Siya and Rachel remained “committed” to their roles as co-founders.
‘BLINDSIDED’
According to the Daily Maverick, several NGO insiders credited Rachel Kolisi as the real “vision” behind the foundation.
One unnamed source said: “In this sector, you can always sense fluff coming through. Rachel is not just a figurehead. She is the real force of the foundation in terms of making the vision work.”
Charity partners also claimed to have been “blindsided” by the news of Rachel’s dismissal.
Another source added, “There was never a sign that she was going anywhere.” The source hinted that Rachel’s suggestive posts about her marriage split were likely a contributing factor to the board’s decision.
DO YOU THINK THAT RACHEL KOLISI SHOULD RETURN AS CEO OF THE KOLISI FOUNDATION?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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