Herald Reporters
GLEAMING luxury cars, imposing caskets and high-profile mourners at Sahwira Glen Forest Memorial Park in Harare yesterday marked the farewell of one of the country’s wealthiest and most flamboyant businessmen.
Provincial hero and businessman Mr Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, were laid to rest side-by-side before a gathering of prominent figures from business, politics, sport and the church.
The couple perished on September 30 in a helicopter crash that also claimed the lives of Lucy’s aide and two pilots.
Johane Masowe Echishanu Apostolic Sect, led by Madzibaba Lawrence Katsiru, performed the burial rites.
The procession and setting at Sahwira Glen Forest Memorial Park reflected Mr Chivayo’s larger-than-life persona, with luxury vehicles dominating the scene as mourners gathered to pay their final respects.
Mr Chivayo, who was conferred with provincial hero status by President Mnangagwa, was remembered not only for his business interests, but also for his philanthropy and support for people and institutions countrywide.
Harare Metropolitan Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Senator Charles Tawengwa, who was the chief mourner, described the couple’s demise as a profound loss to the Chivayo family, the business community and the nation.
“We join the Chivayo family in bidding a final farewell to Mr Wicknell Chivayo, whose sudden and tragic passing has left us deeply, deeply shaken.
“There are moments when words cannot adequately express the pain that we feel. This is one such moment.”
Sen Tawengwa said the circumstances surrounding the accident were difficult to comprehend. He noted Chivayo’s active involvement in public life and the plans he still had for the future.
He conveyed condolences to the Chivayo family on behalf of Government, the people of Harare Metropolitan Province and himself.
“The news of the helicopter accident on the 30th of September 2026 was difficult to comprehend. Even as we gather for this solemn ceremony, we struggle to accept that the man who was so active in public life, with ambitions and plans still ahead of him, is no longer with us.
“Your grief is shared by the nation at large. Zimbabwe mourns with you. Zimbabwe mourns with us,” he said.
He also extended condolences to Lucy Muteke’s family and the families of the other three who died in the helicopter crash.
Minister Tawengwa said Chivayo was buried as a provincial hero following the conferment of the honour by the President.
“This recognition acknowledges his contribution to society and his philanthropic work. It places upon us the solemn responsibility to honour his memory with dignity,” he said.
Describing Mr Chivayo as a prominent businessman, Sen Tawengwa said his interests extended across Zimbabwe and the region, including energy and telecommunications.
“He pursued enterprise with confidence and ambition, establishing a presence in sectors that are important to economic development, including energy and telecommunications.
“His death is a significant loss to Zimbabwe’s business community and to the nation,” he said.
Mr Chivayo had pursued renewable energy and infrastructure projects beyond Zimbabwe, engaging leaders in countries including Kenya, Tanzania and Eswatini.
But beyond the boardroom and business deals, he said, Mr Chivayo’s generosity had touched people from different walks of life.
“Wicknell was generous. He was a philanthropist, par excellence. He gave across every sector of the economy and to people of every profession. He gave in sports, arts, education, health, agriculture, and many other sectors of the economy. In the arts, he is known as a musician.”
Minister Tawengwa said Chivayo supported footballers and churches, while in the health sector he funded ambulances and paid hospital bills for patients.
He provided vehicles to individuals and companies and supported people in education and community welfare.
“In the media, he remembered broadcasters and journalists. In education, he paid school fees for many families and individuals.
“In the community and welfare, he stood with the bereaved and the needy as well as Zimbabweans returning home from abroad.
“He gave and he gave, even where no camera was pointed and no one was clapping,” he said.
Minister Tawengwa described Mr Chivayo as a larger-than-life individual whose influence extended beyond Zimbabwe.
“As such, his passing leaves a deep void in his family and in the many lives he touched.
“He will be remembered for his ambition, his generosity, and his love for his country. Love for His Excellency, the President of Zimbabwe. Love for the ruling party and the people.
“Love for his children and his family, his church, the community that raised him, and the love for his country Zimbabwe and the Zimbabweans at large.
“Hence, he was a philanthropist par excellence,” he said.
Government and Zanu PF officials, church leaders from several denominations, relatives, friends and other mourners gathered at Sahwira Glen Forest Memorial Park to bid farewell to the couple.
