Online Reporter
THE tragic death of businessman and philanthropist, Wicknell Chivayo, in a helicopter crash in Marondera on Wednesday evening, has plunged our nation into mourning.
Chivayo, who died alongside his wife, Lucy Muteke, and four other people, leaves behind a remarkable public legacy.
He was a businessman whose lifestyle often attracted attention, but beyond the luxury cars and social-media spectacle was a man who invested considerable resources in Zimbabwe’s musicians, footballers and sporting institutions.
For Zimbabwe’s entertainment industry, his death represents the loss of one of the country’s most visible private patrons.
At a time when many musicians struggle to finance recordings, videos, live performances and equipment, Chivayo repeatedly opened his purse to support artists.
Musicians including Jah Prayzah, Sulumani Chimbetu, Sandra Ndebele and others were among those who received significant gifts and financial assistance during his lifetime.
Whatever one’s opinion of his flamboyant style of giving, there can be little doubt that his generosity made a tangible difference to people in the creative sector.
Our musicians need investment.
The industry cannot survive on talent alone.
Artists require instruments, transport, recording facilities, promotion and opportunities to perform.
Chivayo’s willingness to put money behind individuals demonstrated what private-sector support can do for an industry that has frequently complained about limited financial opportunities.
His contribution to football was equally significant.
Chivayo became one of the most prominent private sponsors of our football, supporting clubs including Highlanders and Scottland, while also contributing towards the national team.
He had acquired a luxury team bus for Dynamos.
His support included substantial financial sponsorships and other assistance intended to strengthen clubs and players.
Indeed, one of the most poignant details surrounding his death is that Highlanders received a US$250,000 contribution from him on the very day he died.
The donation came only hours before the helicopter crash, making it one of his final public acts of support for our football.
That fact should make the football fraternity pause and reflect.
Our football needs serious commercial investment if clubs are to become sustainable businesses rather than organisations constantly struggling to survive.
Sponsorship can help clubs improve administration, pay players, develop infrastructure and build stronger brands. Chivayo’s involvement showed the scale of impact that a well-resourced private patron can have.
His legacy, however, should not be reduced simply to the size of his gifts.
The real lesson is that Zimbabwe needs more sustainable philanthropy and corporate social investment.
Artists and sporting institutions should not have to depend on the generosity of one individual.
Chivayo’s passing should, therefore, encourage businesses, wealthy Zimbabweans and corporations to invest systematically in music, football and other sporting disciplines.
We are mourning a man who gave generously to people and institutions he believed in.
For musicians who benefited from his support, for football clubs that received his sponsorship and for many Zimbabweans who watched his extraordinary acts of giving, the loss will be deeply felt.
He is a man who will be missed in a very big way in this country.
I think he was putting the wealth he had been given by God in the wrong places and to the wrong people and God took this decision! It doesn’t make any logical sense to dish out expensive vehicles to people who already had many of such while streets were full of people walking on all four for lack of funds to buy simple wheel chairs. Mwari vakatonga! Kana asingabvumi ngaatiudze kuti zvakaitirwei?