Friends unite to give Mash real send-off
Preparations going well as people come together to arrange everything for service
When the showbiz industry gathers tomorrow to eulogise the late Iko Mash, it will be by the orchestrated efforts of her friends.
Since the news broke that Mash, a popular Johannesburg transgender figure, had died, her friends have rallied together to organise a farewell fit for her colourful and vibrant stature.
Mash was born Billy Mothola Emmanuel Mashiloane in Soweto.
She rose through the ranks as a make-up artist and later, a social butterfly. She has a Duku Duku Award for social butterfly of the year to her credit.
She died on Friday after a battle with cancer and after she had started chemotherapy. The memorial for her will be staged at Bassline in Newtown, Johannesburg, tomorrow at 12pm.
Friends such as actress Manaka Ranaka, who took Mash in and cared for her until her last day, have thrown their weight into the preparations.
“It has been beautiful for everybody who is involved. People just came together to help in arranging everything,” she said.
Other celebrities who’ve volunteered their services are musicians Arthur Mafokate, Phinda Matlala and Amstel. Johannesburg entertainment personalities such as Thami Kotlolo, founder of the gayfriendly Feather Awards, and Lebo Keswa have formed a committee to assist in organising the funeral.
They have shared responsibilities among themselves from selecting speakers at Mash’s memorial and those to help with the obituary.
Ranaka said since Mash was a colourful person, they expect the memorial to reflect her character. She joked about how Mash was so eager to get married and have beautiful kids.
The funeral service will take place on Saturday at a venue still to be announced. bambalelep@sowetan.co.za
●