Reeva: A Mother's Story (26 page)

Some sort of closure came from Judge Masipa’s acknowledgement of the damage wrought on our family. I was grateful for that. She said, ‘Nothing I do or say can reverse what happened to the deceased or her family,’ – it was comforting to see she was now aware of our loss.

When Kim took the stand to speak on behalf of the family, the atmosphere was transformed at a crucial time. It was heartwrenchingly emotional. We were tremendously proud of Kim. She brought Reeva back to life as a person, giving her a voice in a room in which she had become invisible, just ‘the deceased’. She did a fantastic job in reminding everyone why we were sitting in courtroom GD. Kim asked my permission to give her impact statement because she didn’t want to upset me by talking so personally about Reeva and how heartbroken the family remains. She was nervous because she didn’t want to let me down, and became intensely emotional herself, but she was strong, she pulled herself together, and I could see the judge listened intently to her every word. After Kim, Gerrie Nel did not need to put forward any further witnesses.

And so, we flew back to Port Elizabeth to start a new phase of life dedicated to raising money for the Reeva Rebecca Steenkamp Foundation which will set up shelters to help and empower other women. It will be a huge project to undertake in her memory, but one sustained by the love and support of so many people. Even as we left the High Court, offers of donations were coming in. As her mother, it is so comforting to see that Reeva continues to touch people. That was what my angel was all about – people and love.

Acknowledgements

My thanks go to:
 

Barry Steenkamp – my husband, my friend, my partner. The one who understands my pain and who supports me no matter what.

Jennifer and Hekkie Strydom – Jennifer has been my friend for many years, and I couldn’t survive without her, EVER. She was like a mother to Reeva. She has been there for me through the good and the bad. Hekkie for emotional support to both Barry and myself and for allowing Jennifer to look after me throughout the trial.

Advocate Dup de Bruyn SC – for taking care of me throughout the trial. For his legal expertise, emotional support and friendship I will be forever grateful. He has been my protector and my doctor. Without him we would not be where we are today.

Truia de Bruyn – for invaluable emotional support and friendship. She was there in the beginning when Barry could not be.

Mike Venter (Attorney) – for his legal expertise and caring for us.

Tania Chanene Peace Koen (Attorney) – for legal advice, neverending support and her warmth. A wonderful and loveable person who I can depend on. And the neverending love and support of Taryn, Wesley and Tristan.

Sarah Thaw – for her hard work delving through mountains of e-mails, always with a smile.

ANC Woman’s League – without whom I could not have been at the trial.

Jacqui Mofokeng – a stranger who has become a friend, and whom I believe could change the world.

Shoki Tshabalala – for supporting me even though she in times was in need of support.

Cindy and Clive Stoutjesdyk, Emily, Adam, Daniel and Nina – who supported me and made me feel like a new person through the pain.

Claire Myles – my friend of 30 years, who spent every weekend at my house and whose help on a daily basis I cannot do without.

Members of the public – whose messages of encouragement, love and support have been so wonderful and who come up to me to wish me well.

To all the Steenkamp family and all our friends for their love and support.

To Kristin Ellis, Abby Theron, the teachers at St Dominic’s Priory School, Jane Celliers of ICE Models and Kim Martin for their reminiscences.

To Rebecca Winfield for her unwavering faith in the book and her hard work.

To Adam Strange, Rhiannon Smith and those at Little Brown for taking such care in putting together this book.

To Sarah Edworthy for putting my words and feelings on the page so eloquently and helping me to pay tribute to my beloved Reeva.

With Barry, in happier times

Reeva as a beautiful baby

Two of the photos taken by Reeva’s dear babysitter, Michelle – precious memories

Reeva’s love of animals – especially horses – never wavered, not even when she broke her back aged twenty. Here, she’s learning to ride on Pinto the pony

Always a sporty girl

Aged eight, just before her baptism. Reeva had proudly written on the back of this photo
Me and My Dad

Turning into a teenager – but still with her love of animals

Reeva was such a committed, intelligent pupil

The early days of a modelling career

With her friend, Garth, on the night of her high school matriculation dance