By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Media personality, seasoned fashion and beauty journalist Nomakula ‘Kuli’ Roberts has died.
She was 49.
“It is with profound regret and sadness that we confirm the untimely passing of our dear daughter, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt Nomakula ‘Kuli’ Roberts (49),” The Roberts and Mboya families confirmed in a statement to the media on Thursday.
“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,” Kuli’s family said.
They requested privacy during this difficult period of grieving and healing. “We ask that you please keep us in your prayers.”
The details of Kuli’s memorial and funeral will be confirmed in due course.
A close friend said the former presenter had been getting ready to do a radio crossover on Wednesday night just before 22:00 but “just collapsed and never woke up”.
Roberts was known for her activism for people living with albinism and her no-holds-barred approach to calling out wrongdoings in the entertainment industry.
After a hiatus from the spotlight to focus on other ventures, She made a comeback as a co-host on “Trending SA” in 2016.
Roberts started her career as a journalist and editor in the early 2000s. She then went on to become a TV presenter for gossip programmes such as The Real Goboza, Headlines and most recently Trending SA.
She also worked as a radio host on Kaya FM and had a stint as an actress on the popular Mzansi Magic soapie, The Queen. She was also the author of fictional book, Siren.
Roberts leaves behind her two children, a grandchild and her sister, actress Hlubi Mboya.