Crystal-Donna Roberts

Crystal-Donna Roberts
Born(1984-10-13)13 October 1984
Cape Town, South Africa
Died6 March 2025(2025-03-06) (aged 40)
Cape Town, South Africa
EducationUniversity of the Free State
Occupations
  • Actress
  • author
Years active2009–2025
Spouse
Schalk Cornelessen
​
(m. 2015)​

Crystal-Donna Roberts (13 October 1984 – 6 March 2025) was a South African actress, presenter and writer. Her films included The Endless River (2015) and Krotoa (2017).

Life and career

Roberts spent her early childhood in Cape Town, living in Bonteheuwel, Kensington, and Factreton. She completed her secondary education in Bloemfontein. She went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Drama and Theatre from the University of the Free State in 2005. A year later, she moved back to Cape Town where she briefly worked as a high-school drama teacher before pursuing acting as a career.

Roberts died from breast cancer in Cape Town, on 6 March 2025, at the age of 40.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2010 The Incredible Adventures of Hanna Hoekom Sharon
2011 The Italian Consul Mary
2011 Skeem Pearl
2012 Chronicle Samantha
2015 The Endless River Tiny Solomons
2016 Tussen as en hoop Olivia
2017 Krotoa Krotoa
2017 The Number Bridget
2018 Our Albertinia Inge Abrahams Short film
2018 Benjamin Chantelle September Short film
2019 Liewe Lisa Lara
2019 Griekwastad Tracey
2024 What If Valerie van Wyk Short film
2024 Mr Isaacs Dr Jolene Fortuin Short film

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2009 Montana Bijou Season 1
2010–2014 Vallei van Sluiers Charmaine Willemse Main role
2012 Vloeksteen Ina Uys Season 1
2013 Die Boland Moorde Elmarie Season 1
2016 Die Byl Evelyn Season 1
2008 Mense Mense Liesel Klein Main role
2018 Fine Print (Afrikaans: Fynskrif) Thandi Main role (season 1)
2018–2024 Arendsvlei Janice Cupido Main role
2019 Die Spreeus Jenny Episode: "Shaun Vink"
2020 Projek Dina Bonita
2020 Kompleks Lucy 1 episode
2021 Swartwater Ava Ebrahim Season 3
2021 Asseblief & Dankie Cassi Television film
2022 Grootste Treffers Quickstix Television film
2022–2023 Fraksie Chantel 17 episodes

Stage

Year Title Role Notes
2009 Romeo & Juliet: Unplugged Juliet Artscape Theatre Centre, Cape Town
2013 Bidsprinkaan Katryn Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees, Oudtshoorn
2014 Rondomskrik Various Baxter Theatre Centre, Cape Town
2015 Siener in die Suburbs Tiemie Aardklop, Potchefstroom

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result Ref
2015 Venice International Film Festival Best Actress The Endless River Nominated
2018 South African Film and Television Awards Best Actress – Film Krotoa Won
2020 Best Actress – Telenovela Arendsvlei Nominated
2021 Nominated

References

  1. ↑ "Crystal-Donna Roberts verloof! Plus só lyk die ring". Sarie (in Afrikaans). 4 September 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  2. ↑ Crous, Marisa (14 May 2018). "Is this South African actress the next big thing?". W24. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  3. ↑ "Names of the candidates of the prestigious mentorship programme for emerging authors in 2021 revealed". The Jakes Gerwel Foundation. 18 November 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  4. ↑ "35th Chancellor's Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner" (PDF). University of the Free State. 26 August 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  5. ↑ "Talented On & Off Screen - Crystal Donna Roberts". Hectic 99. Archived from the original on 9 March 2024. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  6. ↑ "Celebrated Arendsvlei and 7de Laan actor Crystal-Donna Roberts, 40, has died". News24. 6 March 2025. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
  7. ↑ Reed Hall, Alaina; Newman, Latoya (1 July 2016). "Crystal Donna Roberts debuts in a lead role". Cape Argus. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  8. ↑ "Crystal-Donna vlieg hoog!". Kuier (in Afrikaans). 21 October 2015. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  9. ↑ April, Sinethemba (21 May 2018). "SAFTA winner shares her excitement about travelling to the Cannes". EdBook. Archived from the original on 23 November 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  10. ↑ "Cape Flats twang for Juliet". Cape Times. 24 February 2009. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  11. ↑ Sichel, Adrienne (12 March 2013). "Theatre fests aim to spoil you". IOL. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  12. ↑ Fick, David (5 November 2014). "Rachelle Greeff's RONDOMSKRIK Opens at the Baxter Theatre". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  13. ↑ "South African film actress nominated for Venice Fest awards". Brand South Africa. 30 July 2015. Archived from the original on 18 October 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  14. ↑ "First South African Film Selected for Venice Film Festival". All Africa, 31 July 2015. Retrieved 26 November 2015 from Factiva database.
  15. ↑ Ndlangisa, Amanda (26 March 2018). "McCafé congratulates Nakhane Touré and Crystal-Donna Roberts for their wins at the SAFTAs12". True Love. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  16. ↑ van Eck, Megan (26 March 2018). "SAFTA's 2018: The full list of winners". Glamour. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  17. ↑ Kekana, Chrizelda (27 August 2020). "SA actors excited about Royal Soapie Awards — here's the full list". Times Live. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  18. ↑ "Awards Wrap: All the SAFTA nominees, ViacomCBS scoops 11 nominations, winners of the 6th pan-African (re)insurance journalism awards". The Media Online. 4 May 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2021.