More than four years after the death of award-winning rapper Rikhado “Riky Rick” Makhado, his mother, Louisa Zondo, is continuing to turn her son’s legacy into one of healing, hope and community empowerment through the launch of the Riky Rick/Anton Chaka Memorial Forest.
The Riky Rick Foundation for the Promotion of Artivism, together with the Naledi Village Communal Property Association and Rustlers Valley Regenerative Farm and Eco-Tourism, will officially launch the memorial forest on 18 and 19 July 2026 in the Eastern Free State.
The event coincides with Nelson Mandela Day on 18 July and Riky Rick’s birthday on 20 July, creating what organisers describe as a “living space of remembrance, healing, regeneration and hope.”
According to the foundation, the gathering will bring together family, supporters and community members to plant trees, restore the land and celebrate the lives of Riky Rick, community leader Anton Chaka and Frik Grobbelaar.
“Together, we will plant trees, share stories, restore the land and celebrate lives that continue to inspire generations,” the invitation reads. “Together, we grow legacy into life.”
The memorial forest was first announced earlier this year on the fourth anniversary of the rapper’s passing. It is designed to become more than a conservation project, featuring indigenous and fruit trees, walking trails, meditation spaces and areas dedicated to reflection, youth empowerment and ecological restoration.
Zondo, who co-founded the Riky Rick Foundation, said the project reflects the values her son lived by.
“This forest is a living expression of Riky’s heart. He asked difficult questions about injustice, about inequality, about the future of humanity, especially young people. Planting trees in his name is about remembering him in action – continuing the work of healing, empowering and restoring the good we may have lost or be losing. We see it as planting dignity, hope and courage for the next generation.”
Born in KwaMashu and raised in Johannesburg, Riky Rick became one of South Africa’s most influential hip-hop artists, earning acclaim for albums such as Family Values while also reshaping youth culture through fashion and the creation of Cotton Fest. Beyond music, he championed emerging creatives and frequently encouraged young people to pursue their dreams.
The rapper also spoke candidly about his struggles with depression and mental health. In interviews and on social media, he encouraged others to seek help and be open about their emotional wellbeing. His death on 23 February 2022 at the age of 34 shocked South Africa and reignited national conversations about mental wellness, particularly among men.
Following his passing, the Riky Rick Foundation was established to continue his vision of supporting young people, promoting creativity and raising awareness about mental health.
The foundation has since launched campaigns encouraging emotional wellbeing and youth development, carrying forward Riky Rick’s belief that investing in young people could change lives.
The upcoming launch of the memorial forest adds another chapter to that mission, transforming grief into a permanent space where nature, remembrance and healing can grow together for future generations.
Bongi Sikelo 