Going bananas for apples: Rachel Kolisi's daughter Liphelo ditches the party for a heartfelt 18th

A lighthearted and relatable exchange between Rachel Kolisi and her daughter Liphelo Madlingozi has recently gone viral on TikTok - and for all the right reasons. 

The mother-daughter duo shared a candid moment that left many viewers laughing, reflecting and praising Kolisi for her loving and patient parenting style.

The conversation, captured in a short clip, touches on Madlingozi’s upcoming milestone birthday - her 18th - and the ongoing “negotiations” around how (or if) it should be celebrated. 

While Kolisi, clearly excited about her daughter’s big day, is eager to mark the occasion, Madlingozi wants absolutely none of it. 

“We are back again… and this time with serious things.”

The clip opens with both Kolisi and Madlingozi laughing, setting a playful tone. 

“We are back again,” says Madlingozi, before adding, “and this time with serious things.” Kolisi immediately picks up on the cue: “What are the serious things?” she asks.

With a straight-faced delivery, Madlingozi replies, “I’m turning 18.” But when asked how many days are left, she admits she doesn’t know. Kolisi quickly fills in: “In 29 days.”

From there, the birthday back-and-forth unfolds like a real-life sitcom. Madlingozi makes her stance clear - she wants to skip the celebrations altogether. “I said we all stay in our rooms for that day,” she jokes, before adding, “And shame, there’s school.” 

Kolisi, however, has other ideas. 

“Birthdays are like celebrating your life… “I just have this thing where I think birthdays are like celebrating your life and all the amazing things that you are,” she says.

“We want to celebrate you. And it's a big birthday - she is turning 18!” 

Trying to meet her daughter halfway, Kolisi proposes a simple dinner with friends.

“You don't have to do anything big. We can have dinner at home or somewhere else. We need ideas, because she is just adamant that she doesn't want to do it.”

Madlingozi isn’t having it. From dinner to ice skating to chocolate-making workshops and even baking games with friends - all ideas offered by Kolisis - she shuts each one down.

“No! I did that when I was seven!” she says of ice skating. “That’s a disaster!” she says of team baking. 

What she does want, however, is delightfully specific and quirky. Apples in a bathtub. 

“You’re still allowed to gift, guys,” Madlingozi says, dead serious. “I like chocolates … apples.” She then reveals her ultimate birthday wish: “My main thing on my list is apples. I want to put the apples in a bathtub.” 

Kolisi bursts out laughing. “You already did that basically,” she says. “Phelo can eat an entire packet of apples!”

Despite her daughter’s stubborn stance, Kolisi remains patient and persistent. “You know what's going to happen?” she says to the camera.

“I’m going to end up doing something because I feel like birthdays always need to be celebrated. I’ll end up inviting a bunch of her friends … One, she’ll get angry because I’ll probably invite the wrong people.

"Two, she’ll then run around the day before asking, ‘Can I get my nails done? Can I get my hair done? I don’t have an outfit.’ And then that’s also going to be my problem.”

In a final attempt, Kolisi pleads, “Bottom line - you need to do something, Phelo. We need an idea.” But Madlingozi holds her ground: “She needs ideas,” she quips, referring to her mom.

Rachel quickly corrects her: “Don’t say ‘she', it’s your birthday.” To which Madlingozi replies, “You need ideas, because I’m set on what I want.”

The video struck a chord with many TikTok users, who flooded the comments section with praise for Kolisi and admiration for her relationship with Madlingozi. 

“Rachel, you are an angel,” one user wrote.

Another echoed the sentiment: “Rachel is such a sweet soul.”

“Rachel seems like the sweetest and most gentle lady,” added a third. “Please do something for your birthday. She loves you and wants to make your day special.”

Beyond the laughter and charm of the conversation, the clip also sheds light on the deep bond Kolisi has with her children. In 2009, following the tragic passing of their mother, Rachel and Siya adopted both Liphelo and her brother Liyema.

Over the years, they have grown into a tight-knit family, weathering the challenges of fame, public scrutiny and personal growth together.

Whether a big celebration happens or not, one thing is certain: the love between Kolisis and Madlingozi is something worth celebrating every day.