Socialite and make-up artist Iko Mash, who died of cancer on Friday, had hoped to beat the disease.

She had stage three cancer and had recently started chemotherapy.

Afro-jazz singer Phinda Matlala, who knew Mash since she was 13, still could no believe that she was gone yesterday.

Matlala said as much as Mash was sick, after her second session of chemotherapy on Tuesday, she was revived.

"She was looking forward to life. She told me that she will definitely beat cancer. She said chemotherapy was working for her," said Matlala. "She also wanted me to finish my album and release it. Iko wanted me to send her money to organise clothes for the sleeve shoot.

"I waited for her to tell me how much she needs and she never did. I guess she knew she was leaving us."

Matlala, who lived with Mash at her flat in Centurion Plaza in the early 2000s, described her as a very spiritual person who loved God.

She said when Mash was 20, she lived in Hillbrow and had a passion for beauty and make-up. Matlala watched Mash grow in the industry to become an independent human being. "She would do my make-up, hair and even organise me outfits that I wore in different shows."

Born Billy Mothola Emmanuel Mashiloane in Soweto, Mash died while living at the house of Generations: The Legacy star Manaka Ranaka.

Manaka said Mash was in excruciating pain after chemotherapy on Tuesday.

"I was with her mother on Friday and she was in so much pain, " said Manaka, adding that funeral details will be released soon.

Activist and co-founder of the Feathers Awards Thami Kotlolo described Mash as a fighter and a brave person.