Sandton City has once again turned the spotlight mental health by releasing the “Words That Heal” song, alongside a pop-up store.
- Words That Heal has turned messages of encouragement into music, reminding South Africans that kindness can save lives.
- The heartfelt song, a pop-up store, and a movement inspires hope through creative expression.
- Shoppers can visit Sandton City’s Words That Heal activation and be part of a campaign where art meets healing.
- Visit www.sandtontimes.co.za for more stories.
This October, in collaboration with the Riky Rick Foundation for the Promotion of Emotional Well-Being, the landmark shopping destination has unveiled the next chapter of its powerful campaign, Words That Heal.
What began as a heartfelt, nationwide invitation to share messages of encouragement has evolved into a creative movement – one that fuses art, music, and community into a message of hope and healing. Through this initiative, Sandton City is not just acknowledging Mental Health Awareness Month – it’s actively creating space for dialogue, compassion, and connection.
Turning Awareness Into Action
Every day, South Africa loses an estimated 23 people to suicide, and hundreds more attempt to take their own lives. These are not just statistics – they are stories, families, and futures cut short. Through Words That Heal, Sandton City and the Riky Rick Foundation are using the universal language of creativity to counter despair with hope. By encouraging people to share messages, music, and moments of support, the initiative reminds everyone that empathy is an action.
The campaign also keeps its WhatsApp line (063 980 5816) open, where anyone can send a voice note or message of encouragement. These messages may one day form part of future creative projects, continuing the cycle of healing communication that began with Riky Rick’s own words: “We never die, we multiply.”
A Legacy That Lives Through Art
The Riky Rick Foundation was established to honour the life and legacy of the late South African rapper, fashion icon, and mentor, Rikhado “Riky Rick” Makhado. Known not only for his chart-topping hits but also for his openness about mental health struggles, Riky Rick became a voice for self-expression and emotional honesty in South Africa’s youth culture.
The Foundation continues his mission through what it calls “artivism” – the intersection of artistic expression and activism. It seeks to uplift young people by encouraging creativity as a tool for healing, emotional resilience, and social change.
The Song That Speaks To Healing
Earlier this year, Sandton City invited its shoppers and the broader community to share voice notes of encouragement – messages they would want to offer someone going through a tough time. These raw, heartfelt submissions poured in from across the country, forming a collective outpouring of empathy and strength.
From hundreds of entries, a selection was woven together into a deeply moving original song titled “Words That Heal”, featuring none other than the voice of Riky Rick himself. The hip-hop track serves as both a tribute and a reminder – that no one walks their journey alone, and that even in silence, words have the power to reach hearts.
Released on 10 October 2025, to coincide with World Mental Health Day, the track is now available across social media, major streaming platforms, and YouTube. It stands as a sonic embodiment of the campaign’s message: that kindness, spoken aloud, can change a life.
With mental health challenges affecting over 60% of South African youth, initiatives like this play a vital role in breaking down stigma and sparking empathy. Through Words That Heal, Sandton City encourages South Africans to move beyond passive awareness and take active steps toward compassion – to make emotional well-being part of our everyday conversations, not just a yearly campaign.
Experience the Movement At Sandton City
Visitors to Sandton City can now immerse themselves in the Words That Heal experiential pop-up activation, located on the upper level next to BOSS, running until Sunday, 9 November 2025. The space, designed in collaboration with acclaimed South African visual artist Samurai Farai, is a vibrant tribute to the spirit of artivism.
Inside, visitors will find limited-edition merchandise including T-shirts, hoodies, and scarves inspired by the campaign’s themes of hope, resilience, and expression. All proceeds from merchandise sales go directly to the Riky Rick Foundation, helping to fund mental health outreach, youth programmes, and creative platforms that provide safe outlets for emotional expression.
For those unable to visit in person, donations and pledges can be made online at www.rikyrickfoundation.co.za/pledges – because every contribution, big or small, helps amplify the message that no one should face mental illness alone.
A Movement That Belongs To Everyone
As South Africa grapples with the growing mental health crisis, campaigns like Words That Heal demonstrate how corporate spaces like Sandton City can be transformed into platforms of purpose. This is not just about retail; it’s about reshaping the cultural fabric – one where shopping centres become spaces for reflection, dialogue, and collective action.
Sandton City’s collaboration with the Riky Rick Foundation highlights how creativity can bridge divides and offer a lifeline to those who feel unseen. It’s a reminder that sometimes, healing doesn’t begin with grand gestures but with small, sincere words; the kind that can ripple outward, changing the lives of others in unseen ways.
For anyone walking through Sandton City this month, the message is clear: pause, listen, and speak life. Because in a world that often feels disconnected, your words – your voice – can be someone else’s reason to keep going. For more information, visit the Sandton City website or follow Sandton City on social media to be part of the Words That Heal journey, where every voice matters, and every word can make a difference.
Stand a chance to WIN with The Sandton Times.
Advertise on The Sandton Times today!
Head back to The Sandton Times Home Page for more stories.
