The family of veteran media personality Kuli Roberts has confirmed her tragic death in a statement released on Thursday afternoon.
UPDATE: Kuli Roberts family confirms her death in a joint statement
The joint press release from the Roberts and Mboya families confirmed that the 49-year-old met her tragic end on Thursday evening in Johannesburg.
Read the full statement below:
Affectionately known and loved by her friends, family, and the South African entertainment industry at large, Kuli Roberts was an all-round media personality who was always the life of any gathering.
Her love for family, friends, work and very importantly her community is well known.
Kuli leaves behind her two children, her beloved grandchild, her parents and three siblings.
We humbly request that you respect our need for privacy, as we go through this difficult period of grieving and healing. We ask that you please keep us in your prayers.
The Roberts and Mboya family are deeply thankful for all the countless personal messages of love and support received thus far. These are appreciated.
The details of her memorial and funeral will be confirmed in due course.
With much love and thanks, the Roberts and Mboya family.
Read the original story below:
Kuli Roberts dies: What’s the cause of death?
On Thursday morning, tweets surfaced alleging that the veteran editor and broadcaster has died.
Sad news, Kuli Roberts has passed on. Rest in peace my sister and my heartfelt condolences to her family and friends. pic.twitter.com/GnegRQgazQ
— Collen Sbu Gwebu (@CollenGwebu) February 10, 2022
Swisher Post contacted the star’s representatives for confirmation and a response had not been returned by the time this article was published. However, according to True Love, the reports are true.
The cited publication reportedly received confirmation of Roberts’ death from close friends who claim she ‘transitioned’ at approximately 22:00 on Wednesday evening, before she was due to appear for a radio interview.
“She was relaxing with friends at a get-together and she just collapsed and never woke up,” the source claimed
Roberts’ cause of death remains unknown, at this stage.
Kuli Roberts biography
Nomakula Roberts was born on 16 December. There are conflicting reports on the year she was born. Surface level Google search results suggest she was born in 1982. However, this can’t be true if her younger sister and fellow actress Hlubi Mboya was born in 1978.
Much of Roberts’ professional career existed in the media space. In her younger years, she started out as a fashion and style journalist for a tabloid magazine, before cutting her teeth into editorial journalism.
Perhaps, her most memorable moments from her writing career came when she held a controversial column in the Sunday World newspaper.
Her reign came to an end in February 2011 when public outrage over her derogatory claims about ‘coloured’ people forced Sunday World to terminate her contract.
“The column was also not in keeping with Avusa’s commitment to building a non-racial and non-sexist society … the weekly column would be discontinued with immediate effect. The online version of the offending column has been removed,” the newspaper noted at the time.
Roberts was also revered for her edgy, tongue-in-cheek reporting as co-presenter of the popular shows The Real Goboza, Headlines and most recently Trending SA.
Her most recent acting role was on Netflix’s Angelina, a drama about a parking assistant who, against all odds, pursues “her dream of traveling the world.”
Roberts is survived by her two children, a 27-year-old boy who studies in Manchester, UK, a daughter of the same age who is listed as a professional nurse, a grandchild and her sister Hlubi.
Social media pays tribute to Roberts
Here are some of the reactions we picked out on social media:
The SABC would like to extend its heartfelt condolences to the friends and family of the media personality Kuli Roberts who has passed away.
— SABC (@SABCPortal) February 10, 2022
Thank you for your immense contribution to the entertainment industry. #RIPKuliRoberts
Image: Twitter pic.twitter.com/z7N9rZwXCo
Best of all, we will remember you for your kindness to people, care for marginalized groups, and working to ensure that the less privileged have something to to be proud about.
— Vuyo Zungula MP 🇿🇦 (@ZungulaVuyo) February 10, 2022
Rest in Peace Nomakula “Kuli” Roberts. pic.twitter.com/FxDbvReOhv
Rest Fabulously, Crazy Girl. Wow. Never thought I’d be posting this. Farewell Kuli Roberts 💔 pic.twitter.com/vwP6J9KIon
— Marc Lottering (@marclottering) February 10, 2022
Condolences to Kuli Roberts friends and family ….Kuli was amongst the least pretentious people I’ve ever met. She was honest to the world and herself …. Rest , Sisi
— The Watcher (@MTshwete) February 10, 2022
This is one of Kuli Roberts final posts. She commented on our tweet & recommend to us to visit Zen 63 Restaurant in Katlehong this Valentine’s Day.
— Kasi Economy (@KasiEconomy) February 10, 2022
Please honour her by showing up to the place. May her soul rest in peace!
Also may Zen 63 send some of the proceeds to her family https://t.co/IR3d4r3ZDG