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07 March 2025
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Story Anthony Mthembu
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Photo Supplied
Crystal-Donna Roberts, recipient of the 2016 Kovsie Ambassador Award and award-winning actress, has died following a battle with breast cancer.
The University of the Free State (UFS) is deeply saddened by the passing of alumna and award-winning actress Crystal-Donna Roberts at the age of 41. According to Eyewitness News (EWN), Roberts passed away during the early hours of 6 March 2025, following a long battle with breast cancer.
The UFS extends its deepest condolences to Roberts’ family, friends, colleagues, and supporters.
Celebrating a beloved actress
Roberts graduated from the UFS with a BA Drama and Theatre Arts degree in 2005 and went on to create work that was beloved across the country and beyond. She starred in the Afrikaans soap opera 7de Laan and shows like Getroud Met Rugby, Montana and Vallei van Sluiers, among others. Her lead role in the film Krotoa earned her the Best Actress award in 2018 at the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs).
Her extensive career in film and television was one of the reasons she was recognised by the UFS with the Kovsie Ambassador Award in 2016. This is an award given to alumni whose accomplishments have not only benefited themselves but their community and the UFS. Although Roberts was well-known for her work on stage and screens, she was also an author. She released her debut novel Speurder Sammi: Die blou steen (Detective Sammi: The Blue Stone) in 2022.
Outpouring of praise
Since the news of Roberts’ passing broke, there has been an outpouring of tributes on social media. Many of her supporters and colleagues have described her as an iconic force who was full of life and inspired many. Alistair Izobell, who starred alongside Roberts in Arendsvlei, responded to the news through a Facebook post which said, “My dearest sister Crystal-Donna Roberts my heart is broken today. You got your wings and your pain is no more. I am thrilled I got to do a chapter of my life with you. I will remember you with the great spirit you were. Now rest sweetly.”
Kovsie Extravaganza Zircus a big success
2012-10-17
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Kovsie Extravaganza “Zircus”
17 October 2012 |
Hundreds of people flocked to the Callie Human Centre on Saturday 13 October 2012 for the Kovsie Extravaganza “Zircus”. Friends, family and lovers of the arts watched the amazing performances by students from our Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses. South African singer-songwriter and poet Zahara also wowed the crowd.
The Kovsie Extravaganza had a circus theme. Clowns ensured that the audience remained enthusiastic. The university’s orchestra added a touch of elegance to the show and the choir brought musical harmony to the event. There were performances of rap, pop, drama and poetry.
As soon as Zahara stepped on stage, the crowd went wild. She performed songs such as Destiny, Umthwalo and Loliwe.
The event donated R10 out of every ticket bought to the No Student Hungry campaign that offers food bursaries to our students. It is known that twenty precent of our students cannot afford food to sustain them on campus. Events like the Extravaganza help raise funds for the campaign.