More than four years have passed since South African rapper and style trailblazer Rikhado “Riky Rick” Makhado died, yet his family continues to find new ways to keep his spirit present. This weekend’s tribute stood out for its creativity and meaning, turning remembrance into something living—literally.
Monday would have marked what would have been Riky Rick’s 39th birthday, and his mother, activist and author Louisa Zondo, teamed up with Kumi Naidoo and the Riky Rick Foundation to mark the occasion with a tree-planting initiative. Together, they launched a memorial forest at Rustlers Valley Regenerative Farm in the eastern Free State, positioning the project as a fresh chapter in how the legacy is honoured.
Speaking about the day, Louisa described it as one filled with memories that stretch back to his earliest years. “Yesterday was a special day. It is a day where 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,” she shared with TshisaLIVE.
In total, 150 trees were set aside for the group to plant. Their work began on Nelson Mandela International Day, a date that also carries personal significance for Louisa, as it coincides with her wedding anniversary with Kumi.
The commemoration continued beyond Monday. On Sunday, they marked the 97th birthday of Riky’s grandmother, Maemu, and then moved into Monday’s celebrations for Riky’s own birthday. For Louisa, the effort was never only symbolic—it was meant to create a space for healing and renewal.
“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. We planted trees to start the memorial forest. There is huge hope for this forest. There is hope Riky’s fans will be able to come to rebuild, regenerate and rediscover themselves,” she said.
She added that the project is rooted in a broader understanding of humanity’s place in the natural world. “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. This has been a very special weekend. I entered the day with so much positivity and embraced the day Rikhado decided to come to Earth through my body, so love is the predominant energy I am holding onto on this day.”
Beyond this weekend’s launch, the foundation says it plans to keep going with additional gatherings, inviting supporters to join future tree-planting ceremonies. The farm itself is also open to anyone who wants to remember a loved one and be part of the memorial space.
Not everyone online has been fully supportive, with some social media users questioning why the Makhado family and the foundation continue holding public events in Riky’s name and why they believe the rapper’s memory is still being treated as a living mission rather than something left untouched.
Louisa directly addressed that backlash, saying she will not stop. “I believe the day loved ones stop loving those whot 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.”
She continued: “There is negating the pain when it’s there, but the ability to see that and give space for it for it to move through me is very important. Deep gratitude surges, sometimes with tears but also deep smiles of the heart. He gave us so many relationships across the world, which is the gratitude I feel.”
Kumi Naidoo—who was widely known as a father figure to Riky—said the birthday brought up reflections on their relationship and on a conversation they shared just 10 days before Riky died. For him, the memories were mixed with concern about the pressures Riky carried while trying to be there for others.
“He was very down that he had lost some friends through a car accident. One of the things he said was that people kept saying he’s a role model but it was so much pressure,” Kumi said.
He added, “I can’t help but think if he was around how much more of an impact he would have had.”
