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After Riky Rick’s death? See what they want to destroy that cost R60K

Following Rikhado “Riky Rick” Makhado’s death on Wednesday 23 February from an apparent suicide, artists (musicians, poets, and painters) have paid tribute to the Sidl’ukotini hitmaker. Lungelo Gumede, a sculptor from Durban, is one of these artists. The gifted artist created a wax statue of “Mr Boss Zonke” and displayed it in Durban’s Bat Centre.
 

 

 

 

While many were taken aback by Gumede’s work, the Makhado family was not. By contacting the sculptor, Riky Rick’s brother, Themba Makhado, requested that the artwork be removed.See the source image

‘I MADE THE DECISION TO DESTROY THE STATUE’

According to Daily Sun, Gumede has subsequently dismantled the Riky Rick statue. This comes after Themba contacted him again to request that he remove it. According to Gumede, he felt frightened by Themba, who also accused him of profiting financially from his brother’s death. Denying the allegations, he indicated that he paid R60 000 for the statue’s creation. He claimed that it was being viewed for free by followers of the late musician.See the source image

The statue cost me approximately R60 000 to create. I created it out of a passion for Riky Rick and for art. I felt threatened and was unable to continue. Therefore, to put an end to the threats, I have decided to demolish the statue. I spent roughly a week creating it and only a few minutes destroying it.

-Gumede explained

GUMEDE AND THEMBA’S ALLEGED WHATSAPP CHAT ABOUT THE RIKY RICK STATUE

Additionally, the magazine revealed a chat between Gumede and Themba. Themba requests the sculptor remove the Riky Rick statue once more in the WhatsApp messages. He also warns him not to compare himself to Big Zulu, noting that he, unlike the Umuzi eSandton artist, was not close to his brother. Themba’s text is in response to Gumede’s statement last week that he did not understand why the family was unhappy with his tribute to King Kotini when rapper Big Zulu recorded a tribute song for him. Riky’s brother added that he hoped he didn’t have to take Gumede anywhere he didn’t want to go, threatening to sue him.