Riky Rick and Anton Chaka Memorial Forest launched four years after star's passing
“This forest is a living expression of Riky’s heart,” said Louisa Zondo, Riky’s mom on the memorial at Rustlers Valley Farm in the Eastern Free State, a tribute to two great men
On the fourth anniversary of the passing of Rikhado “Riky Rick” Makhado, the Riky Rick Foundation for the Promotion of Artivism, in partnership with the Rustlers Valley Foundation NPC and the Naledi Village Communal Property Association (CPA), announces the establishment of the Riky Rick & Anton Chaka Memorial Forest at Rustlers Valley Farm in the Eastern Free State.
The Memorial Forest will be a thriving ecosystem of indigenous and fruit trees — a space for: Reflection and noble silence, Youth empowerment and learning, Cultural storytelling and artivism, and Ecological regeneration.
It is not simply about planting trees. It is about planting dignity.
Honouring the Living Legacy of Anton Chaka
Nestled in the Maluti Mountains, Rustlers Valley is a place of reflection, community and renewal. It carries deep historical significance for Naledi Village, whose community endured forced removals and decades of land insecurity.
Under the leadership of Ntate Anton Chaka, Chairman of the Naledi Village Committee, the community fought tirelessly for dignity and ownership. After years of bureaucratic delays, he personally collected the long-awaited title deed confirming communal ownership of their land — a moment symbolising the restoration of humanity and justice. Only months later, Ntate Anton passed away.
“This forest is not just about trees,” said Charles Tsenase, Chairperson of the Naledi Village CPA. “It is about restoring dignity to a community that fought for its dignity and never gave up. Ntate Anton believed that when people own their land, they own their future. This Memorial Forest honours that belief — and ensures that our children inherit not only soil, but pride.”
The Memorial Forest honours Ntate Anton’s life of service and the vision of land, dignity and youth empowerment embodied in the spirit of Mayibuye iAfrika.
“My father carried the spirit of Mayibuye iAfrika in everything he did,” said Mookho, Anton Chaka’s daughter. “He believed leadership was about service, patience and protecting the next generation. Seeing this forest grow in his name means his work continues — in every young person who walks these paths and learns that dignity begins with caring for the land and for one another.”
Resonating with the community, Prof. Kosheek Sewchurran, director of The Rustlers Valley Foundation NPC, said: “In a time of climate anxiety and fractured communities, planting a forest is an act of courage. It affirms that the future is worth investing in — and that our children deserve more than our regrets. At Rustlers Valley, this forest is our alignment of land, leadership, and legacy — honouring those who stood for dignity, clarifying what deserves our devotion, and standing in commitment to the generations still becoming.”
Honouring Riky Rick
Riky Rick, born 20 July 1987 in KwaMashu, Durban, was more than an award-winning artist. From his early performance of “Tell Me Why” — a song questioning deforestation, war, inequality, and corporate domination — he demonstrated a rare awareness of the connection between environmental and social justice.
Throughout his career — from Family Values to CottonFest — he championed authenticity, youth empowerment and mental health. His openness about depression ignited national conversations about men’s mental well-being in South Africa.
“For his family, the Memorial Forest is a continuation of his purpose.
Riky believed deeply in healing even when he was struggling himself,” said Riky’s brother Sheikani Makhado: “Riky always wanted young people to feel seen, heard and valued. The dream of this forest represents the kind of space he would have loved — a place where creativity, reflection and nature come together. It’s a reminder that growth is possible, even after loss.”
“This forest is a living expression of Riky’s heart,” said Louisa Zondo, Riky’s mother and co-founder of the Foundation. “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.”
The Forest symbolises four shared commitments: A Just and Regenerative Future, Mental and Emotional Depth, Youth Empowerment and a Celebration of African Identity and Culture.
There will be 20km of curated forest walks, a “Riky Rick Noble Silence” healing trail (4.6km), Ntate Anton’s Walk of Liberation (10km), a Meditation hut and stone reflection spaces, Indigenous tree avenues leading to the dam, and Community fruit orchards.
Visitors will be able to plant trees, receive digital updates on growth, and contribute directly to the sustainability of Naledi Village.
The project will be managed through a consortium partnership with Naledi Village CPA and Rustlers Valley Foundation NPC stakeholders, ensuring community ownership, local employment, and reinvestment of visitor contributions into education and forest maintenance.
The Memorial Forest invites artists, youth, hip-hop culture, environmental advocates, practitioners in different fields and communities to participate - because broken people cannot build a just nation. Yet, a planted forest can help heal one.
The Riky Rick/Anton Chaka Memorial Forest will officially launch on Friday, 17 March to Monday, 20 July at Rustlers Valley Regenerative farm in Ficksburg, Free State. In the build-up to this launch, there will be tree planting events on Rustlers Valley over the following extended weekend dates: (i) Friday, 13 March to Monday, 16 March; (ii) Friday, 10 April to Monday, 13 April; and (iii) Friday, 12 June to Monday, 15 June.
Partnership and Participation Details
If you would like to participate, donate, help promote the idea, or do so, please use the contact details below.
Kumi Naidoo - Co-Founder and Director of the Riky Rick Foundation kumi@rikyrickfoundation.org
Jenny McDonogh - Co-Founder and Director of the Rustlers Valley Foundation NPC jenny@rustlersvalley.co.za or 082 9099 265
For updates, please access the platforms listed below:
Riky Rick Foundation for the Promotion of Artivism:
Instagram: @rikyrickfoundation
Website - www. Rikyrickfoundation.org
Rustlers Valley Foundation NPC:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rustlersvalley