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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.”
Students get a place to rag
2008-01-16
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A jol place where students from the University of the Free State (UFS) can socialise during events such as rag and intervarsity was officially handed over to the UFS by the builders this week.
The Jol place, which is situated on the Western Campus, has ten float building areas, each with its own power points (currently temporarily) and container (also temporarily). There are also outside taps and high-mast lights on the premises and a large area has been paved. The covered area includes an open stoep, kitchens, a bar, and a stage with artists’ dressing rooms as well as bathrooms for men and ladies and for persons with disabilities. The premises, that includes wooden and concrete benches, can accommodate 1 200 people.
The total project cost for this facility was R6,3 million, of which just over 50% was contributed by Absa.
Attending the hand over ceremony were, from the left: Prof. Frederick Fourie (Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS), Mr Natie Botes (from the building company Ströhfeldt Sikeye Joint Ventures), Ms Edma Pelzer
(Director: Physical Resources and Special Projects and the UFS), Dr Natie Luyt (Dean of Student Services), and Jolice Neniëls (forth-year LL.B. student).
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs
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