ChairpersonBarloworld Empowerment Foundation Trust
Louisa Zondo is a co-founder of the Riky Rick Foundation for the Promotion of Artivism, Chairperson of the Barloworld Empowerment Foundation and former Chairperson of Oxfam South Africa.
A lawyer and social activist, she served as Deputy Executive Director of the Constitutional Assembly during South Africa's transition from apartheid, going on to become Chief Executive of the South African Human Rights Commission in 1996. Along with other members of her family, Louisa is currently involved in the work of the Riky Rick Foundation for the Promotion of Artivism established in memory of her son Rikhado 'Riky Rick' Makhado, a well-loved music artist and creative who died in February 2022 from suicide. The efforts of the Foundation focus on mental health and wellbeing; energising artivism; fellowships supporting young creatives; and community engagement. In 2023 she published 'Dearest MaRiky: A Mother's Journey Through Grief, Trauma and Healing' a memoir reflecting on life and her late son.