Cape Town – Outspoken poet Ntsiki Mazwai took to social media recently to thank the late Rikhado “Ricky Rick” Makhado’s family for opening up about the rapper’s battle with drug addiction.
Ricky Rick’s passing was announced by his family in a statement, recently.
The late rapper allegedly took his own life after reportedly battling with “chronic depression”.
Ntsiki said in her tweet that people should have real conversations around cocaine addiction.
I am thankful that Ricky’s family was open about his never ending drug recovery process….. When are we having the cocaine conversation?
We just out here watching people die….— ✨KUMKANIKAZI✨ (@ntsikimazwai) March 2, 2022
According to City Press, his stepfather Kumi Naidoo said that the family would be setting up a foundation to help young people, in honour of the late rapper.
“There will be a foundation set up in your name to help young people in Africa. Of all the things, I want to thank you, Rikhado, for giving me the opportunity of calling you ‘Son’ and hearing you call me ‘Paps’,” the publication quoted him as saying.
Tweeps weighed in on Ntsiki’s tweet:
Problem isn’t coccaine but LIFESTYLE that drives people to cocaine.A life of excessive entertainment,materialism,external validation and image idolatry.This lifestyle of celebs disconnects you from your spiritual core of balance and leaves you looking up to substance for coping
— Karabo Mokubung®️?? (@KaraboMokubung) March 2, 2022
I’m no performing artist but I know it’s hard to party whole night nje just having booze, ciggies and weed. Imagine traveling and having to have energy. The industry is dominated by cocaine guys. You’d have to limit your gigs shuthi or have dull performances
— franklin saint ? (@_lindokmvelase) March 2, 2022
We were afraid to state the drug use which might have led to depression & suicide in case they called us insensitive. pic.twitter.com/DHpP59hqhK
— Ntje Moholo (@ntjereloaded) March 2, 2022
Ntsiki is right, point the elephant in the room and stop disguising it as depression/Mental health.
Right now i see people on social media believing we should accept suecide as a solution to depression/mental health.
people are playing with fire here.
— QueueStack ? Digital (@Mkholo2Mposula) March 2, 2022
No-one is saying suicide is the solution to depression or mental health, we are saying don’t ever judge a situation which you have never faced.
— Lindo_M?? (@mlindoes) March 2, 2022
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Picture: Facebook/ Ntsiki Mazwai
Compiled by Odwa Shumi
