Online Reporter
Tafadzwa Zimoyo
Zimpapers Entertainment Editor
AS if cancelling his shows and postponing his wedding was not enough, Jah Prayzah has gone another mile for his late friend, businessman Wicknell Chivayo.
In a remarkable gesture of friendship, Jah Prayzah has handed over virtually all the arrangements and services, which had been secured for his wedding, to the Chivayo family for use at the funeral of Wicknell and his wife, Lucy Muteke.
The revelation was made by wedding planner Kevin Zhou, who had been working on Jah Prayzah’s wedding before tragedy struck.
What was supposed to be a celebration of love has now been transformed into a farewell for the couple, with wedding preparations including flowers, catering and other services being redirected to the Chivayo residence.
Zhou said Jah Prayzah did not hesitate when the decision was made to put the wedding resources for use at the funeral.
“Jah Prayzah has given us everything that we had prepared for his wedding so that it can be used for Wicknell’s funeral,” said Zhou.
“We were already doing the wedding arrangements when this tragedy happened.
“Instead of stopping everything, Jah Prayzah decided that we should use what was already available to assist the Chivayo family.”
And the switch has already begun.
Zhou and his team have started setting up at the Chivayo residence in Gletywn, with the services originally booked for Jah Prayzah’s big day now being deployed for the funeral programme.
“From the flowers to catering and other services, we have moved everything to the funeral,” Zhou said.
“We have already started setting up at the Chivayo residence and we will continue providing the services through to the burial.”
The gesture has been warmly received, with many people praising Jah Prayzah for what they described as an extraordinary act of friendship at a time when grief has engulfed the entertainment and business fraternity.
For Jah Prayzah, however, this is not simply about giving away wedding services.
It is a continuation of his decision to put friendship before celebration.
The musician had been preparing for one of the biggest days of his life, with his wedding scheduled for Saturday, at Manna Resort.
But everything changed on Wednesday when news broke that Chivayo and Lucy had died in a helicopter crash.
Jah Prayzah subsequently postponed his wedding and cancelled his performances as he joined friends, colleagues and the Chivayo family in mourning.
The wedding had already attracted considerable attention, with several high-profile personalities expected to attend.
Among the anticipated guests was legendary musician Thomas Mapfumo, whose expected performance had added another layer of excitement to the star-studded celebration.
Instead of walking down the aisle on Saturday, Jah Prayzah found himself mourning a man he regarded as a friend and brother.
He later paid his condolences at the Chivayo residence in Gletywn, where preparations for the burial, set for Glen Forest in Harare on Thursday, are now taking shape.
The flowers meant to decorate a wedding are now helping decorate a farewell.
The food meant for wedding guests is now being prepared for mourners.
The team that was supposed to make Jah Prayzah’s big day memorable is now helping the Chivayo family give their loved ones a dignified send-off.
And, perhaps most significantly, Jah Prayzah has chosen to let his celebration wait while he helps his friend’s family navigate one of its darkest moments.
For many who have followed the events since the tragedy, it is a gesture that speaks louder than words.
Jah Prayzah may have lost the opportunity to celebrate his wedding as planned, but in giving up what had been prepared for his big day, e has turned his wedding into a final act of love, loyalty and friendship for Wicknell and Lucy.
