Lynn Forbes and Louisa Zondo, the mothers of the late Mzansi rappers Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes and Riky Rick, have forged a bond that shines through their shared pain of loss.
The mothers, who lost their sons a year apart, have chosen to stand together as not just grieving figures, but as champions of keeping their sons’ legacies alive.
Recently, Forbes took to Instagram to share an emotional glimpse into their journey together. Posting a photo alongside Zondo, she recounted their unforgettable experience of summiting Kilimanjaro in 2018.
“Connected with my dear friend @louisazondo this morning. We summited Kilimanjaro together in 2018, oblivious to the mountains we would have to climb as mothers. We each lost our son, a year apart … first Rikhado (Riky Rick) and then Kiernan … Young kings and friends with powerful voices.
“We’re still climbing, together. Not always strong, but always resilient. Focused, steady and committed to preserving their legacies.”
Meanwhile, as the world marked what would have been Rick’s 38th birthday on 20 July, Zondo celebrated her son’s life with a heartfelt Instagram tribute.
“20 July is your birthday, MaRiky. Not for a single moment are you ever blurred in our hearts. Thank you for the honour of being a parent to you. Thank you for being a good ancestor to us,” she wrote alongside a collage from his childhood.
In light of the loss of Rick, who took his own life, Sandton City, in partnership with the Riky Rick Foundation, has launched the ‘Words That Heal’ initiative.
The campaign aims to facilitate conversations about mental health and provide a platform for artistic expression and activism, known as ‘artivism’.
The initiative responds to the critical mental health challenges facing South Africa’s youth, where over 60% report struggling with mental health issues.
‘Words That Heal’ invites the public to share uplifting voice notes via WhatsApp, which will be collated into a curated song of hope and released later this year to support the Riky Rick Foundation’s mission of providing free therapy for young people.
The second phase of the project will launch during Mental Health month in October, with planned immersive experiences at Sandton City, allowing shoppers to connect with Rick’s music while raising awareness of mental health.
Sandton City will also host a pop-up retail space featuring limited-edition merchandise designed in collaboration with artist Samurai Farai, where proceeds will directly support the foundation’s initiatives aimed at creating safe spaces for youth. – IOL
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