‘Child of God’ dies on lovers’ big day

The “vibrant” girlfriend of Oscar Pistorius, who was shot dead at his home, was a top model and “child of God” who was looking forward to Valentine’s Day.

The relationship between Reeva Steenkamp, 30, and Pistorius, 26 — the Posh and Becks of South Africa — tragically ended on the day lovers celebrate, with the famous Olympian and Paralympian charged with her murder.

In her Twitter biography, she describes herself as: “SA Model, Cover Girl, Tropika Island of Treasure Celeb Contestant, Law Graduate, Child of God.”

The day before her death, Ms Steenkamp was active on Twitter, and in response to an invite asking her to visit and share cakes, she said: “I’m there like a bear!!! Yayyyy!!!! X”

The model also expressed her excitement for Valentine’s Day, saying: “What do you have up your sleeve for your love tomorrow??? #getexcited #ValentinesDay”.

In response to someone else’s plans for the day, Ms Steenkamp replied: “That sounds amazing! Wow that’s what it’s all about! It should be a day of love for everyone :) may it be blessed!”

On Feb 1, she tweeted to Mr Pistorius, telling him he was “beautiful”.

“He certainly doesn’t need more followers but he’s beautiful to look at & says some smart stuff too.”

Ms Steenkamp’s former headmaster Greg Stokell told the South African Press Association she was popular and respected by all.

“She was a vibrant, friendly, diligent, and motivated student who was popular with and respected by staff and peers alike.

“The St Dominic’s Priory school community in Port Elizabeth is both shocked and saddened by Reeva Steenkamp’s sudden and tragic death.”

Mr Stokell said the model achieved recognition for her good academic results, her participation in hockey and swimming, and in her capacity as a house captain.

She graduated with a law degree at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.

“She set high goals for herself in everything she did and she consistently converted opportunities into success,” he said.

The school conveyed condolences to her family.

This weekend, Ms Steenkamp was set to star in South African reality TV series Tropika Island Of Treasure.

Ms Steenkamp was born in Cape Town and moved to Port Elizabeth as a child where she continued her studies and graduated with a degree in law.

On her Instagram site, she weeks ago she shared a poster detailing the joys of finding love. The poster read: “It’s beautiful when you find someone that is in love with your mind.

“Someone that wants to undress your conscience and make love to your thoughts.

“Someone that wants to watch you slowly take down all the walls you’ve built up around your mind and let them inside.”

Sponsors react

A television station has pulled an advertising campaign featuring Oscar Pistorius after his arrest for murder.

The South African station M-Net said it is no longer using the adverts that were to promote its coverage of the Oscars on Feb 23.

In a statement on Twitter, the station confirmed: “Out of respect & sympathy to the bereaved, M-Net will be pulling its entire Oscar campaign featuring Oscar Pistorius with immediate effect.”

A Nike ad banner across the top of Mr Pistorius’ official website “I am the bullet in the chamber” has also been pulled.

It showed the Paralympic champion and Olympian with his trademark blades and lycra outfit sprinting out of starting blocks.

His agents at Fast Track management said there would be no comment.

— Helen William

Picture: Steenkamp and Pistorius pictured at an awards ceremony in Johannesburg in November