Cape Town -Cheryl Roberts fell in love with tennis at the age of 11.
When she first picked up a tennis racket at that age, she could not have imagined the impact she would make in the lives of poor young girls in the country.
She also would not have imagined that her courage and resolve would lead to being described as a champion and icon of the sport.
At the time, the odds were stacked against her as a black woman in a sport seen to be for whites only.
But today, Roberts represents a true hero, whose dedication to transformation can be seen in her work with poor communities.
Roberts represented South Africa as a Table Tennis player in the South African team at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona. She went on to receive a number of accolades, including the coveted Andrew Mlangeni Green Jacket, an award that honours the esteemed Rivonia trialist Andrew Mlangeni, who is regarded as the embodiment of life-long participation in sport.
As part of highlighting Roberts’ shining legacy, the Cape Times spoke with her devastated family following her passing last week. She lost her battle with cancer at the Netcare Parklands Hospital in Durban on Friday.
She was 62. Roberts lived in Woodstock for many years before moving to Sea Point and various areas in Cape Town.
Her sister, Vanessa Roberts, said losing Roberts has been the most devastating time for their family.
She described Roberts as independent and inquisitive as a child, saying she took pride in protecting her two sisters.
“I am the youngest, and she always tried to protect me. When I was sad, I would tell her, and most of the times, I would cry, and she would say, ‘don't worry, Nessa. We have a beautiful home’. She was that kind of person.
She would talk to people on the street. She had no pride and loved to chat to children,” she said.
Roberts’ passion for sport started when she picked up a tennis racket when she was 11, according to her sister.
“My cousin sold a tennis racket to her for 50 cents. She used to go to Sydenham courts to play because our area did not have courts. Then my neighbours had a table tennis board, and they used to play in their garage, and Cheryl started playing with them.
She used to practice when she came back from school, on school holidays, and even on weekends until the early the hours of the morning.”
“Cheryl was kind, humble and compassionate. She was an independent lady. She was not on anyone’s payroll.
“Her death has shattered my sister and me. I don't know how to even go on without her, but we have to take one day at a time. We are all not married, and we do not have kids, so it's a tough time for us, but we are trying to cope,” she said.
Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa said Roberts also dedicated her life to unearthing talented young women, many of whom have blossomed into successful athletes.
“She was undoubtedly an advocate and activist of non-racial sport and, in particular, women. Her family’s loss is shared by many in the sports movement.
“Her drive and enthusiasm will be sorely missed,” said Mthethwa.
The department will be attending the funeral to pay their tributes. Roberts used her social media and other platforms to raise awareness around the representation and recognition of women in sport.
In a heartfelt letter this week, Molo Songololo director Patric Solomons, who had known Roberts for 30 years, said her passion and joy were to see girls enjoy the pleasure of sport no matter the background.
“Every opportunity, she will go be on the sports field or in the stadium, enjoying the matches and games, or from behind her lens capture our sports girls and women.
“She produced various publications capturing anti-apartheid sportsmen and women and tracked their heritage as sports activists, trainers, and developers.
“She spoke out against gender inequality and called out men in power who block transformation and deny women their rights and opportunities as players, coaches, management, and leadership.
“She used social media, her journalism and photographic lens to capture the joy and struggle of women and girls in sport,” said Solomons.
Roberts will be buried at Bethesda Temple Church in Durban on Saturday.
Cape Times
*The Cape Times’ Big Friday Read is a series of feature articles focusing on the forgotten issues that often disappear in the blur of fast news cycles, and where we also feature the everyday heroes who go out of their way to change the lives of others in their communities.