South Africa is overwhelmed with sadness at the current moment. The passing of the famous and loved celebrity musician and fashionista, Rikhado Makhado actually known as Riky Rick, has got everyone in tears. He leaves his loving wife, 2 children, family members, friends and fans.
Riky’s untimely demise shocked everyone. In his home, he committed himself by hanging himself with a rope. This is not the first time a celebrity has committed suicide this year. Patrick Shai, a veteran actor, also committed suicide in his Soweto home. Both of their deaths are being blamed on despair and cyberbullying.
Riky had earlier in the week shared a video of himself singing and cuddling his wife Bianca Naidoo, in which Bianca did not appear thrilled or satisfied. Riky was blamed for Bianca’s misery on Twitter, and others said he had strayed again.
Patrick Shai before his death, he also posted a video of him mocking a popular celebrity, Cassper Nyovest. He was later called a poverty stricken man looking for fame and money through children.
Many celebrities like Minnie Dlamini and Lasizwe came out and said that the sudden death of Rikhado triggered them and Minnie even went to the extent of saying the situation could have been her. She also faced bullying on Twitter after announcing that she is going through a divorce with her husband of 4 years.
Bullying is a problem but suicide is not a solution. Celebrities are blubbering about how suicide is triggering and how they are facing problems but they are not promoting the right interventions of depression, stress and anxiety.
Most of them share sadness but they are not teaching the country, their fans and young followers what to do and who to reach out on when facing such situations.
This is something that needs to be raised and put awareness on and celebrities have the platform to help combat suicide among the youth and even adults. Therapy, depression groups, exercise, healthy lifestyles are things in which they should share especially in this time.
What do you think about this?