Memory: Reeva Steenkamp's family released a picture of their deceased daughter as a 14-year-old brunette on what would have been her 32nd birthday. Memory: Reeva Steenkamp's family released a picture of their deceased daughter as a 14-year-old brunette on what would have been her 32nd birthday.
Lerato Mbangeni
JOHANNESBURG: Social media was yesterday flooded with birthday messages for Reeva Steenkamp from friends, fans and those who want justice for her death.
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram saw a stream of messages and posts to the slain model, and most noted the irony of Steenkamp’s birthday falling so close to Oscar Pistorius’s release date.
Gina Myers, Steenkamp’s best friend, posted a picture of herself and Steenkamp on Instagram and captioned it:
“My Alfi. Happiest birthday to the angel in the sky. To the girl who made everyone who cried, laugh, and everyone laughing cry. To the wonder woman and the beauty you will always be… and to my best friend. I miss you more every day. Love you always.”
Myers’s sister Kim, who was also close to Steenkamp, posted lyrics of Nneka’s Shining Star and beneath them wrote:
“My #LFB you will always be our #shining#star #Love and #miss you every minute of every day! #HappyBirthday… hope you are looking down on us celebrating the way you wanted me to celebrate mine.”
Another one of Steenkamp’s friends, radio DJ Poppy Ntshongwana, tweeted on Tuesday evening: “So many scary ironies about this #OP release – Women’s Month, Reeva’s birthday tomorrow and the release on Friday. Reeva’s poor family.”
While Steenkamp’s friends offered more personal messages, the public called for justice.
On Facebook Hlox Da Rebel wrote: “The problem with our justice system is that it doesn’t exist. We are in Women’s Month. Today it’s Reeva Steenkamp’s birthday and Oscar is being released on Friday. Talk about being inconsiderate.”
Others questioned why Steenkamp’s birthday was commemorated while other victims of fatal abuse weren’t remembered.
@Pol_Sec_Analyst tweeted: “Remembering Reeva on her 32nd birthday: Because Anene Booysen et al birthdays were not worth any commemorating.”
Those sentiments were echoed by @Agent_AKie who tweeted: “So the Donald Sebolai case doesn’t get much publication like Oscar’s… Dolly died just like Reeva, but white media is dominating.”
lerato.mbangeni@inl.co.za
TWEETS
@KhanyiDhlomo: What a tragic irony RT Oscar Pistorius’s release coincides with Women’s Month – and Reeva Steenkamp’s birthday.
@MphoMaboi: The system wrongs us sometimes. Reeva’s birthday falling in the same week when Oscar is coming out of prison, years early!!
@Lumko_SA: It would’ve been her birthday today, but we all know how her story ended. He gets released this Friday #Reeva.
@FraudWatchZA: Happy birthday to the late Reeva Steenkamp. Perhaps one day we will see justice for the abused and murdered women of our land.
@DubeDominic: #what an irony, Reeva’s birthday month, Women’s Month – the imminent release of Oscar!
@TamsynCarstens: Thinking of you today Reeva. My heart goes out to your family.
@ZaahiraYelena: Happy birthday, Reeva. You live on in our hearts! #ReevaSteenkamp.
@MotlotlegiTT: I understand Reeva would have been 32 today. Our gun crazy Paralympian decided to retire her two years ago on Valentine’s Day nogal. Haai!
@HiRezLife: Happy birthday #ReevaSteenkamp. Still think-ing about you, still fighting for your voice and the justice you deserve.
@anna7495: Unnecessary, brutal loss of life, the world will never forgive you for this #OscarPistorius.
@Truth2Come: #OscarPistorius’s sentence won’t end this weekend. He has no sponsors. No more honorary degree. No racing until 2020. No applauding spectators in stadiums. #CareerOver