Iko mash biography graphic organizer

Iko Mash, who took on one of the first transgender acting roles on South African television, has passed away.

According to reports, the much-loved Soweto-born personality, who also went by the moniker Cinderella, died on Friday morning, apparently after a struggle with cancer.

Mash is perhaps best known for playing the transgender character of Zahr on the eTV soap series Rhythm City.

The performer was also an LGBTQ activist, socialite and a celebrity stylist and make-up artist to the likes of Khanyi Mbau and the late Lebo Mathosa.

In 2007, Mash announced plans to launch a make-up range “for the ultra-feminine woman who is a no ‘make-do-woman'”.

It’s unclear if Mash identified as transgender and was described over the years in the media as “gay” and a “cross-dresser”.

(Mash’s personal Facebook page uses the male pronoun but Mambaonline has chosen to use the sin