Harmony Agere
AFRICA and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have lost a champion of development following the death of businessman Wicknell Chivayo, King Mswati III has said.
The Eswatini monarch sent a seven-member delegation to attend the funeral of Chivayo and his wife Lucy Muteke.
Speaking through the delegation, King Mswati lll said he is deeply saddened by the businessman’s death, describing him as a bright star who was poised to make a significant contribution to the region and the continent.
“We are a team of seven members; including a Cabinet Minister, pastors, and business people, some of whom were working with Mr Chivayo,” said a member of the delegation.
“King Mswati III and the Queen Mother sent us to convey their condolences to the Chivayo family, President Mnangagwa and the people of Zimbabwe.
“This goes to his family, the President of this country, and the people of Zimbabwe. We have lost a champion.”
“Their Majesties are deeply saddened by the way Mr Chivayo perished too early in his life, when the world and Africa were still expecting a lot from him,” he said.
The Eswatini royals said their interactions with Chivayo had convinced them that he had the potential to play a major role in transforming the region and improving the lives of people.
“Their Majesties are saying in the short time they interacted with Mr Chivayo, they saw in him a bright star ready to illuminate the SADC region and the entire African continent,” he said.
“They saw him as a true son of the African soil. Young as he was, he appeared a giant to their Majesties, ready to transform Africa, ready to change lives.”
