Issa Cover Siya Kolisi covers this month’s GQ magazine

Springbok rugby star Siya Kolisi is rocking a purple suit and looking like a flame on the latest cover of this month’s GQ.

The 26-year-old is looking like fine wine as he graces this months cover.

Siya is married to Racheal Kolisi  they share one child and they are currently expecting their second child.

Siya sat down with GQ to discuss fashion,here is the full interview.

GQ: Style with substance. Is it important?

Siya Kolisi: It’s quite important, I think. What you wear must resemble the person you are. You must treat the people around you the way you dress. With respect and integrity.

GQ: In your mind, who is a great example of this in the SA community and why?

SK: Maps Maponyane. I think his style is amazing and he’s a flat-out gentleman. He’s always very caring with others.

GQ: Who’s leading the way South African fashion?

SK: I don’t know a lot of designers, to be honest. I’ve seen what David Tlale does and I have a lot of respect for him. Of course, if we’re talking about stylish men with substance I’d go back to Maps again. He has collaborated and even designed a few of his own things. I think there’s a new breed of influencers in this country that are like creative directors. They’re not designers in the traditional sense, but their ideas can lead the way for a community of creatives. The work that he does really inspires me a lot. Womenswear-wise, Khosi Nkosi is leading the way. I think what she does really empowers women.

GQ: What does leadership mean to you in general?

SK: I like leaders who don’t speak a lot, but rather lead through action. It’s important to be hands-on and show your community that you’re about more than just talk. People will only invest in somebody that values and invests in them.

GQ: If you could meet any thought leader, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

SK: Mandela is my hero for everything that he has done for South Africa. I wouldn’t ask him anything. I would just want to say ‘thank you!’ And I would want to extend my appreciation to all the people, living and dead, that he worked with to achieve his vision.

GQ: Do we need better role models in this country? Why and what could they do better?

SK: Yes and no. We actually have a lot of good ones, it’s just that people don’t know about them. We see a lot of the negative stuff in the media, but we don’t give a lot of airtime to the positive ones. Perhaps we need to change our attitude in this country and start reinforcing the positive dialogues.

GQ: Are there any social issues that you hope to inspire young men in this country to address?

SK: I received a bursary to go to an English school because of sport. I would love to see that level of education or the same standard of facilities, particularly the sporting variety, made available to young kids in the townships.

GQ: Is there anything that you feel you contribute uniquely to SA culture or community?

SK: We have so many different cultures and such a great division amongst the classes in this country. We haven’t found a way to integrate peacefully or respectfully yet. I would just want people to take the time to get to know each other, to understand each other’s cultures, languages and beliefs without judgment.

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— GQ South Africa (@GQdotcoza) October 23, 2017