Being a wife or girlfriend of a famous athlete has its perks, but there are also some battles along the way. These local WAGs and their loved ones have proven that love conquers all
The WAGs of South Africa may look like they have it all, but it comes with it’s own set of issues, such as being in the public eye and having to navigate a relationship over long distances. Even though there are struggles, these ladies remain strong.
Rachel Kolisi & Siya Kolisi
Businesswoman and wife to Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, Rachel Kolisi is the ultimate WAG. Despite the long distance and the racial abuse the couple has faced throughout their relationship, they remain strong. They even founded The Kolisi Foundation together to help those in underprivileged communities. Although they work together, Siya is still away the majority of the time for games, so long-distance is something they still have to face regularly. Rachel says that the goodbyes never get easier, and when asked how she handles it, she said, ‘If there is one thing I’ve learned, it’s to be intentional about being fully present in moments with loved ones.’
Sue Duminy & JP Duminy
Sue Duminy, wife to cricketer JP Duminy, is not only a WAG but also an editor at Inspired Women, a blog that she co-founded. They have been married for 10 years, and when asked about their marriage in an Inspired Women interview, they said that the secret to a happy marriage is putting God first. ‘The first and most important thing in our lives (yes, before our marriage) is our relationship with God. If I am not OK with Him, I cannot be OK with my husband.’
Kuziva Makore & Tendai Mtawarira
Entrepreneur Kuziva Makore and rugby player Tendai Mtawarira have been happily married since 2010. And you can see how much they love and appreciate each other through their social media pages. Tendai might be known as ‘The Beast’ on the field, but when it comes to his wife, he’s the ultimate softie. Even though Tendai is now retired and they don’t have to do long distance anymore, they still have very busy schedules. Despite this, they keep the romance alive by spending as much time as possible with each other and making sure they’re in the moment. But the most important relationship advice Kuziva has ever received is, ‘Know who you are before you become anyone’s anything’, and she lives by this by not just being a wife or a mother, but by being her own person.
Aisha Baker & Wayne Parnell
Aisha Baker is probably the most famous wife on this list, but more so in her own right. She’s also probably on the same level of fame as her husband, cricketer Wayne Parnell (if not more). She’s known for her blog Baked Online, which has resulted in her becoming not only a fashion blogger but also an influencer and businesswoman. Throughout her career, she has won multiple awards and, even though she’s a wife and a mother now, she continues to be more and more successful. While she hasn’t spoken a lot about her marriage, you can see through their social media pages that they are extremely happy together.
Bokang Montjane & Siphiwe TShabalala
Another WAG famous in her own right is Bokang Montjane, wife to Bafana Bafana player Siphiwe Tshabalala. Bokang is a model and former beauty pageant contestant. She is now the director of Mrs Universe Africa and co-founder of SB Kids clothing that she started with her husband. Although these two are in business together, the long distance has always been a struggle as Siphiwe travels frequently for games. But they managed to keep their love alive by having two daily calls and by understanding that love isall about communication, compromise and sacrifice.
Words by Francesca Rattle
Photography: Courtesy images
