Hanli Rolfes

Born into South Africa’s vibrant performing arts scene, Hanli Rolfes—credited professionally as Hanli Rolfes-Opperman between 2002 and 2010—carved out a distinguished career on stage and screen. After earning an Honours degree in Drama (*cum laude*) from the University of Pretoria in 1994, she made an immediate impact with her television debut as Lieutenant Bernice Fox in Scholtz Films’ *Die Laksman*. She soon landed her most iconic role: Sarah-Lee Odendaal on the beloved SABC1 soapie *Generations*, a character she portrayed from 1996 to 2001.

Rolfes became a familiar face on Afrikaans pay channel kykNET, taking lead roles in several major series. She played Louise Schoeman on *Villa Rosa*, Sophia Landman on *Kruispad*, Sonja Mostert on *Binnelanders*, and Lanie on *Getroud Met Rugby*—the last a drama series she co-created with her then-husband, Deon Opperman. Her television credits also span *Justice For All*, *The Adventures of Sinbad*, *Vetkoekpaleis*, *Egoli*, *Iemand om lief te hê*, *Jozi Streets*, *4Play: Sex Tips for Girls*, *Askies*, *Soul City*, *Skeem Saam*, *Hartland*, and *Geraamtes in die Kas*.

On stage, she earned acclaim in Afrikaans productions such as *Boesman my Seun* (2005), *Twaalfuurwals* (2006), *Kaburu* (2007), and *Knypie Oppie Kant* (2008). In 2008, she also appeared as a contestant panelist on the SABC2 game show *Where Were You?* Her marriage to Opperman lasted from