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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.”
Dr Le Roux a fellow of Africa Science Leadership Programme
2016-02-23
Dr Aliza le Roux
Photo: Hannes Pieterse
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National Research Foundation-rated Y2 scientist, Dr Aliza le Roux, has recently been added to the Africa Science Leadership Programme, an initiative that seeks to create an African network of scientific leaders across disciplinary borders. Her selection to this programme is a reflection of her powerful vision for the continent’s scientific future and sustained scientific excellence.
“It is an honour and an opportunity for me to grow as an academic. This opportunity will also help me build my leadership skills as well as my networks on the continent. It will create a culture of leadership and research that is led by African researchers,’’ Dr Le Roux said.
She added that African researchers have a great potential to solve global problems, yet many of them leave their countries to seek academic success elsewhere. “I hope that the lessons we learn in this programme will pave the way for academia and science to be taken more seriously and practiced more effectively on the continent.”
Together with 21 other fellows from across the continent, Dr Le Roux will be taking part in a week-long workshop in April this year. She is a Senior Lecturer and Subject Head in the Department of Zoology and Entomology on the Qwaqwa Campus of the University of the Free State.