Cape Town – Media personality Kuli Roberts was laid to rest on Thursday at a private and intimate family ceremony in Johannesburg.
Kuli died at the age of 49, leaving behind her two children, her grandchild, her parents, and three siblings.
Thembela and Leaun Roberts took to the podium to deliver a poignant yet funny eulogy of their mother’s character and her notorious “Spiderman suit” that had many in stitches amidst the sorrow.
Sharing how he felt amidst the outpouring of love from those near and far from his mother, Leaun said that it had made the healing easier.
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“It just felt like a key being turned inside of me, allowing me to one, accept this tragedy that has occurred.
“Two, celebrate her life and the time we were able to spend with her. And three, I was able to understand that many, many other stories exist that more or less revolve around my mom and her Spider-Man suit,” said Leaun amidst tears and stoicism.
His sister, Thembela, relayed how their mother was a “remarkable woman”, and said that although she couldn’t be with them in the physical, she believed she was with them in spirit.
“She was a fighter – she always fought for what she wanted, and she would never settle for anything less. She always knew what she wanted for herself, but more importantly, for my brother and I,” said Thembela about their mother.
ALSO READ: WATCH: Kuli Roberts’ memorial service
Earlier, seasoned broadcaster and author Chriselda Kananda broke down into tears as she took to the podium to relay fond memories of her friend and how much of a “hoarder of note” she was.
“She hoarded things that she would be able to give to others. Especially cutlery and crockery, I’m a beneficiary of her hoarding myself,” she said amidst smiles and laughter from the mourners.
“She was such a giver. You would never walk away from her without a gift. I truly believe that only now, I understand that it was a message. That she is our gift. She is a gift that God has given us,” said Chriselda amongst tears.
Kuli’s sister, Hlubi Mboya, told the mourners not to live a life of regret but rather emulate her sister who led a life full of colour and also said that people should let Kuli go and rest, peacefully.
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“You gave my sister so much love. In that tiny body of hers, she held the best and worst of us. But one thing I know for sure and I know we are all feeling the same way let’s not live a life of regret. She was complex, she was difficult, she was beautiful, she was loving, kind, crazy, fantastic but she was so gentle, let’s just let her go because she needs to rest and we all know that.”
Kuli worked across numerous publications before she dabbled with radio and TV presenting.
She was recently featured on the Netflix local movie Angelina and also starred on the hit TV production The Queen alongside seasoned actress, Connie Ferguson.
Kuli was also a budding author through her recently released fictional novel Siren, which is about a woman who navigates through the highs and lows of fame-seeking in the cut-throat city of Johannesburg.
Watch the funeral service below:
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Picture: Facebook/ Kuli Roberts
Compiled by Odwa Shumi
