Cape Town – Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has mourned the death of South African rapper Rikhado “Ricky Rick” Makhado, saying the nation “did not listen to your loud whisper”.
Ricky Rick, 34, died on Wednesday.
According to TrueLove, he committed suicide as a result of a mental health battle.
Ricky took to Twitter for the final time before his death and wrote: “I’ll return a stronger man. This land is still my home”.
Taking to social media, Malema reacted to the rapper’s last tweet and wrote:
“We love you my man; we did not listen to your loud whisper. We thought we still had time, and unfortunately, we are now too late to intervene,” wrote Malema in a tweet.
We love you my man; we did not listen to your loud whisper. We thought we still had time, and unfortunately, we are now too late to intervene. ??? pic.twitter.com/9Tj5otfYwv
— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) February 23, 2022
In another tweet, Malema wrote: “Please sleep my brother… we are weak and defeated. We hope to wake up tomorrow feeling better than we are today. Let tomorrow be better for all of us, in particular, your immediate family and friends. I’m thinking of your wife, children and @UncleVinny_”.
Please sleep my brother… we are weak and defeated. We hope to wake up tomorrow feeling better than we are today. Let tomorrow be better for all of us, in particular, your immediate family and friends. I’m thinking of your wife, children and @UncleVinny__. ?????????? pic.twitter.com/fl3cBwJuMf
— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) February 23, 2022
According to Channel24, “I’ll return a stronger man” and “This land is still my home” are both lines from the singer’s song titled, Home, which he released in 2020.
ALSO READ: SA rapper Ricky Rick dies aged 34
In the song, Riky references the challenges of fame and the pressures of the “brutal” industry he is in.
He leaves behind his wife, two children, his mother and five siblings.
Since the news of his death broke, politicians and political parties have taken to social media to send their condolences
Take a look at some of the tributes:
Ricky got along with many people in our country he was a jolly good fellow full of life not shy to speak his mind,Am really sorry for his wife,Mother,Siblings above all his kids, Arts and culture family in mzantsi we lost a friend an artist par excellence ????Sad.
— FIKILE MBALULA | MR FIX (@MbalulaFikile) February 23, 2022
My sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Riky Rick ?
What a loss. He was always good to me and supported me. He will be remembered through his music and humility. A true game-changer always looking to uplift the youth. #RIPRikyRick ?? pic.twitter.com/cz5sFisT6F
— Pitso Mosimane (@TheRealPitso) February 23, 2022
A #SuicideAwareness Tik Tok I made.
Suicide is pain so deep it becomes so unbearable that the only way to make it stop seems to be ending your life. Do not tell a suicidal person how to feel. Just listen with no judgment & with compassion. Ask what they need & help ❤️ #RickyRick pic.twitter.com/3jTfv3qAW5
— Phumzile Van Damme (@zilevandamme) February 23, 2022
@MYANC mourns the untimely passing of renowned Rapper and actor Rikhado Muziwendlovu Makhado popularly know as Riky Rick. #RIPRikyRick #RickyRick pic.twitter.com/c7dT6XE11r
— #ANC110 (@MYANC) February 23, 2022
The DA is saddened by the passing of South African artist, Riky Rick.
We send our sincere condolences to the Makhado family, friends, and colleagues in the entertainment industry.
Riky, akekho omunye oswenka nje ngawe, akekho omunye oshay’ingoma nje ngawe. Stay shining. ?️? pic.twitter.com/gNSDTmyHj8
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) February 23, 2022
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Picture: Twitter/ @EFFSouthAfrica
Compiled by Sinothando Siyolo
