SITHANDIWE VELAPHI

The family, friends and community of the murdered Reeva Steenkamp will get the chance to paying their respects to law graduate-turned-model during a memorial service to be held in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday.

This comes after her alleged murder by paralympian Oscar Pistorius on Valentine’s Day.

Reeva’s uncle, Michael Steenkamp, said the family, which had requested privacy to mourn their only daughter, had been devastated by the news of her death.

Steenkamp launched her modelling career in Port Elizabeth. She also obtained a law degree from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU), whose faculty of law has expressed its condolences.

“Reeva achieved academically and was popular among faculty members and her fellow students. Tributes to Reeva have been pouring in,” the university said.

Fellow NMMU student Angus Hayes paid his tribute to the beautiful model.

“I am humbled by your legacy, your genuine and loving nature. You were always kind and gentle and perfectly mannered, a true lady without question. I never met your father, Barry, of whom you spoke with so much affection and pride, but I am fortunate enough to know your dear mom, June, and I can only thank her for her gift to the world. She gave you such strength and love that you never ran out of energy to shine for us.

“My dear Reeva, you lived your life as you appeared to the world. You lived it beautifully. Our memories of you, this invisible light that you always gave to us so selflessly, will help us navigate our lives forever,” wrote Hayes.