Cape Town – She may be gone but her fierce legacy continues to touch so many lives – from celebrities to random people alike. Nomakula “Kuli” Roberts was a rare breed and one of a kind.
The 49-year-old journalist, author, TV, and radio presenter was the queen of reinvention and a jack of all trades.
Aptly called the “Brenda Fassie of Journalism” by a City Press journalist, Kuli ruffled many feathers in the show business industry – from prominent politicians to haute couture celebrities – no challenge was big enough for Kuli.
“I have watched you speak up for so many injustices – against patriarchy, favouritism and elitism. You were a born activist. You always fought for people to know their mind and fight for their voice and your warmth for people of all creeds was so loving and admirable,” said Pumza Nohashe, a celebrity PR manager in her tribute column for SowetanLive.
ALSO READ: ‘She was fearless and never backed down to anyone!’ – Tributes continue to pour in for Kuli Roberts
Her former colleagues on the Trending SA TV programme sent their special tributes on their respective social media platforms.
Commediene, Nina Hastie, took to Instagram to compile special moments they shared together in a video with Monica’s Angel of Mine song playing in the background.
“I love you, Kuli. Your weird understood my weird. Your heart was as big as your bloody filing cabinets. You probably would have hated this song, and been like “Babe, come on. Where’s the Jennifer Rush?,” she said in her Instagram story.
View this post on Instagram
TV and radio presenter, Pabi Moloi took to Twitter and thanked Kuli for her spirit of Ubuntu.
“Thank you for embodying true Ubuntu. I keep hearing your voice saying ‘Mtana se khaya we are family’. Heaven is richer. You lived! I feel fortunate to have been in your orbit. I love you,” she twitted.
My sister. Fierce defender. Thank you for the memories. Thank you for embodying true Ubuntu. I keep hearing your voice saying Mtana se khaya we are family. Heaven is richer. You LIVED! I feel fortunate to have been in your orbit. I love you. Rest well Queen. #RIPKuliRoberts pic.twitter.com/cfvKJvOmHT
— Pabi Moloi (@PabiMoloi) February 10, 2022
Dr Musa Mthombeni shared a photo they took together during special moments they shared while they were shooting the show and simply captioned it: “Momomo.” – which is an affectionate term that the media personality used to say on the Live show.
View this post on Instagram
Earlier, Kuli’s cousin, Nyaniso Bhengu said he refused to be drawn on to speculation surrounding Kuli’s death amidst growing rumours on social media.
The cause of her death is still not yet known.
“People like speculating but I want to keep it positive. People are speculating saying: ‘Was she this or that?’ I don’t know. She was in high spirits as always. She was Kuli. She was healthy,” Bengu said, according to TshisaLive.
ALSO READ: Media personality Kuli Roberts dies
Bhengu recalled the last conversation he had with Kuli and said she was “100%” fine during their phone call.
“She was 100%. She called me when she got to the studio. They started doing her makeup and she said, ‘talk to you later’,” he said.
Reports claim that Kuli collapsed on the set of filming a TV production.
In a statement, Kuli’s family asked for the public’s prayers and for privacy as they dealt with the ordeal.
View this post on Instagram
“We ask that you please keep us in your prayers.We humbly request that you respect our need for privacy, as we go through this difficult period of grieving and healing,” read the statement.
Funeral details for the media personality have not yet been confirmed.
Kuli is outlived by her two children, her grandchild, her parents, and three siblings.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
Picture: Facebook/ Kuli Roberts
Compiled by Odwa Shumi
