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Death of 'Miss Banks' shocks model industry

BEAUTY REMEMBERED: Sarah Mbokwane's unexpected death has left people saddened PHOTO: FACEBOOK
BEAUTY REMEMBERED: Sarah Mbokwane's unexpected death has left people saddened PHOTO: FACEBOOK

The modelling world has been puzzled by the sudden death of one of the country's rising fashion models and cover girls.

Also known as Miss Banks, Sarah Mbokwane, 30, of Mamelodi, died last weekend after repeated visits to hospital. The cause of death has not been made public yet.

Hr promising catalogue includes spreads in Sunday Times fashion supplement and Grazia magazine.

Having modelled for brands like Avon, she was also a favourite for bridal shoots.

Shocked friend and colleague Mirriam Ngomani told Sowetan that Mbokwane had been in the industry for a while but in the past few years she was at the peak of her career.

"I knew Sarah personally. She has done a couple of jobs for me," said Ngomani, who runs a modelling agency.

"She was in and out of hospital, but I thought she would get well. We didn't expect it," she said.

Ngomani reminisced how excited Mbokwane was last year when she got one of her first television gigs.

"She appeared on Selimathunzi on SABC1 on a skiing shoot, she was super-excited. She sent me a text telling me how grateful she was," Ngomani said.

Deborah Barnard of Boss Models, who was her booker, said: "Sarah was a beautiful, bubbly, eager and intelligent young woman. She had an effervescent personality and warmed the hearts of all who knew her. Clients and friends were shocked and saddened by her death, but her smile and beauty will be remembered always."

Mbokwane joined Boss Models as a 26-year-old in October 2011. She will be buried on Saturday in Mamelodi. She is survived by a daughter.

tiwaneb@timesmedia.co.za

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