‘Love Keeps People Alive’: Riky Rick’s Mother Explains Powerful Memorial Forest Tribute. More than four years after the passing of South African rap icon Rikhado “Riky Rick” Makhado, his legacy continues to flourish in a deeply meaningful way.
His mother, activist and author Louisa Zondo, has transformed personal grief into a lasting symbol of hope by planting a memorial forest in his honour at Rustlers Valley Regenerative Farm in the eastern Free State.
To commemorate what would have been Riky Rick’s 39th birthday, Zondo, together with her partner Kumi Naidoo and the Riky Rick Foundation, hosted a weekend dedicated to remembrance, healing and regeneration.
Over the course of the celebrations, 150 trees were planted across several significant dates, including Nelson Mandela International Day, which also marked Zondo and Naidoo’s wedding anniversary, the 97th birthday of Riky’s grandmother, Maemu, and finally, Riky’s heavenly birthday on July 20.
Speaking to TshisaLIVE, Zondo reflected on the emotional significance of the day and the memories that continue to shape her journey as a mother.
“Yesterday was a special day. It is a day when I am reminded of the fact that Rikhado came to Earth on this day. I have a whole lot of memories, from his childhood to his growing years. The gift that being a mother is, the lessons of being a mother. This year was filled with blessings and special moments.”
For Zondo, the memorial forest represents far more than a tribute. It embodies the values Riky Rick championed throughout his life. Celebrated not only for chart-topping songs such as Stay Shining but also for his influence on youth culture and fashion, the rapper was known for creating spaces where young people felt accepted and inspired.
“He helped young people find their belonging. This is creating space for our continued healing. This becomes a space where we remember many we want to keep alive who have passed on,” she said.
The project also reflects a deep connection between healing and nature. Zondo believes the forest serves as a reminder that life continues in different forms and that love remains stronger than death.
“The environment is based on the principles of us remembering we are part of nature. The trees are such a powerful reminder of how nature connects and nothing really dies.”
Rather than allowing grief to define the occasion, she approached the anniversary with gratitude and hope.
“Love is the predominant energy I am holding onto on this day,” she shared.
The memorial site will continue to welcome members of the public who wish to plant trees in honour of loved ones they have lost, creating an evolving sanctuary where remembrance and renewal exist side by side.
Zondo also addressed criticism from those who have questioned why the family continues to publicly celebrate Riky Rick’s life instead of allowing him to “rest.” She made it clear that love is the very reason his memory continues to live on.
“I believe the day loved ones stop loving those who are no longer walking with them on this realm, that’s the day they die. It’s love which keeps people alive, whether they are a celebrity or not. It is love that keeps us growing through the pain of loss and opens up space for something else.”
While acknowledging that grief never completely disappears, she described learning to embrace every emotion with gratitude.
“There is no negating the pain when it’s there,” she said, explaining that those moments are often accompanied by “deep gratitude surges, sometimes with tears but also deep smiles of the heart.”
Kumi Naidoo, who became a father figure to Riky Rick, also honoured the late musician’s memory by recalling one of their final conversations just days before his passing. He remembered Riky speaking openly about the immense pressure of being viewed as a role model while privately navigating personal struggles and the loss of close friends.
“I can’t help but think if he was around how much more of an impact he would have had,” Naidoo reflected.
Today, through the work of the Riky Rick Foundation and initiatives like the memorial forest, Louisa Zondo continues to carry forward her son’s vision of compassion, creativity and mental health advocacy.
What now stands in the Free State is more than a collection of newly planted trees. It is a living tribute to a son whose influence continues to grow, offering a place where healing can take root and reminding visitors that even in the face of profound loss, new life can still emerge.
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