By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Condolences continue to pour in for former South African Olympian and women’s sports activist Cheryl Roberts
Roberts died on Friday morning at the age of 60.
Born on 10 March 1962, Roberts first made a name for herself when she represented South Africa in the 1992 Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona as part of the table tennis team. She was most recently known for her dedication to advocating for women in sport through storytelling as a writer, and her prominent social media posts.
The Minister of Arts, Sports and Culture Nathi Mthethwa released a statement and paid tribute to Roberts, who was “amongst the members of the first National Executive Committee of the National Sports Council – the forerunners of SASCOC”.
“The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture wishes to pay tribute to long-standing sports activist, Cheryl Roberts who passed away,” read Mthethwa’s statement.
“Amongst the accolades she received was being awarded the coveted Andrew Mlangeni Green Jacket, an award that honours the esteemed Rivonia trialist, Andrew Mlangeni who is an embodiment of life-long participation in Sport and being inducted in the gsport Hall of Fame.
“Cheryl’s drive and enthusiasm will be sorely missed. Her family’s loss is shared by many in the sports movement.“
Cricket SA also expressed their sadness of Roberts’ passing and hailed her contribution to cricket and women’s sport.
“The sporting fraternity has lost a colossus of women’s sports in the media, a voice that demanded to be heard and one who staunchly fought for female representation across multiple sporting codes, including the game of cricket,” said CSA Chief Executive Officer, Pholetsi Moseki.
“Her storytelling abilities helped the everyday South African understand the challenges faced by athletes on their journey to on-field success. It is through her unrelenting advocacy that women’s sport is now gaining the traction it deserves. She will be sorely missed.”
SA Rugby president Mark Alexander paid tribute to Roberts through the Springbok team’s Twitter account.
“We are saddened to hear of the passing of Cheryl Roberts, a staunch supporter of women’s sport, a champion of equal opportunities, and an activist for women on the SA sporting landscape,” Alexander said.
“May she rest in peace and our thoughts are with her family.”
SAFA President Danny Jordaan extended his heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and sporting fraternity.
“This is such a massive loss. She made a huge contribution. It is a huge loss for sport, as well as women leadership in sport,” said Jordaan.
“One of the things she celebrated was the victory of Banyana Banyana during the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco in July.