‘Carrying forward your legacy’: Mt Everest memorial for Riky Rick [photo]

Riky Rick has been honoured with a special memorial by his mother Louisa Zonda at Mount Everest’s base camp.

The mom of the late rapper dedicated her climb of the world’s highest mountain in his honour. And to mark her momentous achievement, Louisa gave her followers a glimpse of the intimate tribute she shared to her son.

Riky Rick tragically ended his life in February after a long battle with depression. He was 34 years old.

RIKY RICK REMEMBERED ON MOUNT EVEREST

Taking to her Facebook account, Louisa Zondo revealed she had summited the base camp on Saturday 2 April.

She wrote: “Among other things, I was caught up in the realisation that at that moment I was standing 5364 m above sea level. The concrete immediacy of each moment’s walking, challenges and lessons had the effect of disaggregating the trek quite significantly, however arrival at base camp brought everything together.

Louisa then revealed she had set up a memorial in Riky Rick’s honour.

“Your beloved wife Bianca, and children – Jordan and Maik – had sent me off with a few memorabilia. Singing Methodist Xhosa hymn 259 – Ndinik’amehlo Ndikhangele… I lay out a ‘Riky Rick…We Multiply’ tee-shirt on the [base camp] rock.

“Above it was a chain containing: (a) medallion of St Michael – the archangel who among other virtues helps us in our hour of death – as a symbolic representation of Bianca and the kids’ prayers; (b) a St Christopher medallion representing my travel prayers for all of us; and (c) a medallion with a “MaRiky” engraving. The last medallion is the beautiful product of young talented jewellers. I laid it as your family’s commitment to carrying forward your legacy of caring for and supporting young people”.

‘EVERYTHING CAME TOGETHER’

Louisa also reflected on the special connection she felt to Riky Rick through her experience.

She continued: “At base camp, everything came together in that amazing contraction-and-expansion pattern of the universe, MaRiky. All I could do at this point was to keep bowing in gratitude, joy, peace and hope. I could never find the words to clearly set out the depth of awakening  that coming to base bamp and communicating with you through ritual, was to me. 

“Thank you for helping me to come to such a knowing and feeling. Thank you so much for enabling so many to connect with your family, your loved ones and I. And to hold us up in immense love and generous support as we continue to grieve your departure from this realm of life together”.