MAKE-UP artist, actress and socialite Iko Mash radiated light wherever she went.
She was proud to be transgender and walked around in high heels, never apologising for who she was.
But on Friday the light unexpectedly went out when Iko lost her battle with cancer.
Iko was a friend of Daily Sun, having acted as a mentor, judge and make-up artist for Sunday Sun’s SunBabes.
Speaking on behalf of Iko’s family, Lebo Keswa said: “Iko loved her fans and they kept her going, even though they didn’t know what she was going through.”
Lebo said a memorial service will be held on Wednesday while the funeral will be on Saturday before she’s laid to rest at West Park Cemetery in Joburg.
The SunTeam spoke to some of her close friends about what Iko meant to them.
Generations: The Legacy actress Manaka Ranaka said: “There was never a dull moment with her. Even when she was sick she still insisted on helping me with my scripts.
“This cancer had me fooled. Iko had a lump on the side of her face and when the doctors tested it, they found it was cancerous. When she started chemotherapy, it disappeared. We all thought it was going away.”
Amstel from music group 3Sum said: “Iko was a fabulous person. She always wanted everyone to be happy and successful.”
Designer Craig Jacobs said: “She opened doors for so many people, especially those in the transgender community.”
Singer Wanda Baloi said: “She was a free spirit and she taught me to be extremely fearless.”
