'She was the epitome of love'

OVERWHELMED with grief, Reeva Steenkamp's family wept during her funeral service in Port Elizabeth yesterday.

Many recalled the young woman's zest for life, some describing her as "the epitome of love".

Steenkamp, 29, a lawyer and model, was fatally shot by her boyfriend, Paralympic runner, Oscar Pistorius, on Thursday at his Pretoria home. Pistorius, who faces a murder charge, appeared in court yesterday for a bail hearing.

Steenkamp's parents, June and Barry Steenkamp, managed to evade the huge media contingent outside the Victoria Park Cemetery in South End, Port Elizabeth.

"We are here to keep Reeva in our hearts for ever," her uncle Michael said, then began crying.

"We are here today as a family. Reeva was part of this family and just meant so much to us."

Brother Adam said: "There is now a space missing inside the people that used to know her and she will be missed by everyone.

"Everyone is sad but, at certain parts [of the service], people were smiling while remembering her."

More than a hundred mourners gathered at the chapel.

After a 45-minute memorial service, Steenkamp's casket was carried out to a hearse covered with wreaths of flowers.

Close family friend Tara Laing said she had known Steenkamp from a young age and "watched her grow up".

Laing said that despite the Steenkamp family being aware of her relationship with Pistorius, he had never come to Port Elizabeth and had not met her parents.

"Her parents do not know him at all," Laing said.

She described Steenkamp as the type of woman who would "never complain if she had problems" and who "very much kept her problems to herself".

Many former classmates who attended St Dominic's Priory with Steenkamp arrived at the funeral in their old school blazers.

Bongiwe Gaxamba, who matriculated with Steenkamp in 2001, said that she was "the epitome of love".

"She was all love, warmth, hugs and smiles. That is how I will remember her.

"We kept in contact after school via Facebook and she was such a wonderful person," she said.

Another mourner, who did not want to be named, said the service was "beautiful", adding that every relative and friend who had wanted to say something had got the opportunity to do so.

"Some people said a few words but it was definitely a celebration of her life.

"Those that knew her personally said that she had really touched their lives," she said.

Celebrity mourners, including 5FM's DJ Fresh and Poppy Ntshongwana, Isidingo actress Jay Anstey, singer Mario Ogle, rapper Da Les and television presenter Pearl Thusi, all declined to speak to the media as they left the ceremony.

DJ Fresh, Da Les, Ogle, Anstey and Thusi appear with Steenkamp in season five of the reality television show Tropika Island of Treasure.

Springbok rugby player Francois Hougaard was also in attendance, but refused to speak to the media.

Nelson Mandela Bay deputy mayor Nancy Sihlwayi was also among the mourners.

"The murder of innocent women must stop and something needs to be done," Sihlwayi said.

She described Reeva as an "angel" and "leader".

Former Eastern Cape premier Nosimo Balindlela said: "This child is the daughter of Africa.

"She was humble and from listening to her friends speak of her, she was just such a loving and caring girl.''