This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/14/reeva-steenkamp-friends-shock-at-loss
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Reeva Steenkamp: friends in shock at loss of 'sweetest, kindest soul' | Reeva Steenkamp: friends in shock at loss of 'sweetest, kindest soul' |
| (4 months later) | |
| Devastated friends have paid tribute to Reeva Steenkamp as "a beautiful soul" and "an amazing girl gone too soon". | Devastated friends have paid tribute to Reeva Steenkamp as "a beautiful soul" and "an amazing girl gone too soon". |
| The 29-year-old was a law school graduate and model who publicly denounced violence against women. On Thursday she had been due to give an inspirational talk at a school in Johannesburg. | The 29-year-old was a law school graduate and model who publicly denounced violence against women. On Thursday she had been due to give an inspirational talk at a school in Johannesburg. |
| Steenkamp was the South African face of Avon cosmetics, appeared in international advertisements and, this weekend, was due to be a contestant on the reality show Tropika Island of Treasure, filmed in Jamaica. | Steenkamp was the South African face of Avon cosmetics, appeared in international advertisements and, this weekend, was due to be a contestant on the reality show Tropika Island of Treasure, filmed in Jamaica. |
| Hagen Engler, a former editor of the South African edition of FHM magazine, for which Steenkamp had been the cover star, said he had known her since around the age of 15 in Port Elizabeth, where they both grew up. "She was an amazing girl, a really intelligent person," he said. | Hagen Engler, a former editor of the South African edition of FHM magazine, for which Steenkamp had been the cover star, said he had known her since around the age of 15 in Port Elizabeth, where they both grew up. "She was an amazing girl, a really intelligent person," he said. |
| "She went into the modelling industry and had a mature understanding of it. She had a funny sense of humour, like a guy's sense of humour. She was talented and was starting to succeed. The girl was really going places." | "She went into the modelling industry and had a mature understanding of it. She had a funny sense of humour, like a guy's sense of humour. She was talented and was starting to succeed. The girl was really going places." |
| Her death came as a "hammer blow", Engler said. "I heard the news … then it was like: 'I know her, oh my God.' I've been trying to process it. It's a real tragedy that such a bright girl has gone." | Her death came as a "hammer blow", Engler said. "I heard the news … then it was like: 'I know her, oh my God.' I've been trying to process it. It's a real tragedy that such a bright girl has gone." |
| Steenkamp was born in Cape Town on 19 August 1983, and moved to Port Elizabeth as a child. She graduated with a law degree from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University but was spotted by a talent scout and launched a career in modelling. She has since travelled widely and appeared in advertising campaigns for clients such as Clover, FHM, Toyota and clothing brand Zui. | Steenkamp was born in Cape Town on 19 August 1983, and moved to Port Elizabeth as a child. She graduated with a law degree from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University but was spotted by a talent scout and launched a career in modelling. She has since travelled widely and appeared in advertising campaigns for clients such as Clover, FHM, Toyota and clothing brand Zui. |
| Shashi Naidoo of Alushi model agency in Johannesburg, which represented Steenkamp, said: "It's still a big shock to us. I've known Reeva for years and she was an incredible, beautiful soul. It's shocking. An amazing girl has gone too soon." | Shashi Naidoo of Alushi model agency in Johannesburg, which represented Steenkamp, said: "It's still a big shock to us. I've known Reeva for years and she was an incredible, beautiful soul. It's shocking. An amazing girl has gone too soon." |
| Steenkamp used her Twitter account to encourage her thousands of followers to fight sexual abuse. "WEAR BLACK THIS FRIDAY IN SUPPORT AGAINST #RAPE," she retweeted just hours before she died. | Steenkamp used her Twitter account to encourage her thousands of followers to fight sexual abuse. "WEAR BLACK THIS FRIDAY IN SUPPORT AGAINST #RAPE," she retweeted just hours before she died. |
| Her publicist, Sarit Tomlinson, said Steenkamp was "continuously breaking the model stereotype". She was "the sweetest, kindest, just angelic soul" and "a very inspiring individual, very passionate about speaking about women and empowerment". | Her publicist, Sarit Tomlinson, said Steenkamp was "continuously breaking the model stereotype". She was "the sweetest, kindest, just angelic soul" and "a very inspiring individual, very passionate about speaking about women and empowerment". |
| On Thursday morning, Steenkamp had been scheduled to give a motivational speech to students in Johannesburg. "It was about empowerment and inspiration and what inspires you and how to follow your dreams," said Tomlinson, who had Steenkamp's notes for the speech. | On Thursday morning, Steenkamp had been scheduled to give a motivational speech to students in Johannesburg. "It was about empowerment and inspiration and what inspires you and how to follow your dreams," said Tomlinson, who had Steenkamp's notes for the speech. |
| Another acquaintance, who did not wish to be named, said: "She was a lovely girl and her career was just taking off. She had a big heart and was at the forefront of many pro bono projects. She wouldn't hurt a fly. It's a tragic loss." | Another acquaintance, who did not wish to be named, said: "She was a lovely girl and her career was just taking off. She had a big heart and was at the forefront of many pro bono projects. She wouldn't hurt a fly. It's a tragic loss." |
| Steenkamp and Pistorius had been dating for just a few months. Scores of tributes were posted online. | Steenkamp and Pistorius had been dating for just a few months. Scores of tributes were posted online. |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. | Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. |