Online Reporter
Arron Nyamayaro
IT’S the week of the Long Goodbyes as we bid farewell to businessman Wicknell Chivayo, his wife Lucia Muteke, the two pilots and an aide who died in that horror helicopter crash last week.
The two pilots, Captain Calvin Soda and Captain Courage Mutavirwa, were laid to rest yesterday in Marondera and Chiredzi.
Wicknell and Lulu are set to be laid to rest at Glen Forest on Thursday.
The couple’s burial will come exactly EIGHT days after they lost their lives, together with their three colleagues, when the chopper they were travelling in came down at Kudenga Farm near Marondera.
Yesterday, Chimurenga music guru, Thomas “Mukanya” Mapfumo, joined mourners at the couple’s home in Gletwyn in Harare to pay his condolences.
Mukanya arrived home last week from his base in the United States after being hired by Wicknell to play at two special occasions in a deal worth US$1 million.
He was set to play at Jah Prayzah’s wedding, which had been set for Harare on Saturday before it was postponed, in the wake of the tragedy, and at Wicknell’s birthday celebrations next month.
Mukanya arrived in the company of music promoter, Josh Hozheri, and was welcomed by Herbert Chivayo, the Chivayo family spokesperson.
He described Wicknell as a generous man who had a passion to help others.
He urged Zimbabweans to unite and avoid sowing seeds of division.
“We have lost a person who was helping a number of people.
“Some may have their own negative views about him but, to me and many others he assisted, he was a good person.
“Let us not offend those who benefited from Wicknell’s loving hand, let us be united.
“As for his death, we will all die. Ndiyani achagara panyika nekusingaperi? Hapana.”
He added:
“Hence, we must unite and love one another as Zimbabweans.
“Chivayo liked my music, he was one of my fans and I want to thank him for facilitating my return to Zimbabwe.
“Although I failed to meet Wicknell, to me he did his best, he expressed his loving heart.
“I love my country, I love my roots rather than living in a foreign land.
“Whenever I meet a Zimbabwean in America, I feel at home.”
He promised to fulfill his part of the deal should Jah Prayzah set another day for his wedding.
“I am prepared to perform as agreed if the postponed wedding date is set,” he said.
“Although I no longer have the energy I used to have, I love to perform before my own people.”
One of Wicknell’s senior advisors, Madzibaba Moses Gwasarira, said he was supposed to have accompanied the businessman on his ill-fated trip to his rural home.
However, he said he was tasked with performing other duties in Murehwa.
“I was one of his advisors and we were identifying families in need.
“On the day in question, we were in Murehwa on his assignment.
“We have lost a man whose shoes were too big to fit.
“At first I could not speak, I was confused until I realised that people die in different ways, but no one knows the day of death.
“We are aware of social media influencers and attention seekers, who are after likes.
“We will all die and we do not know how or where,” he said.
Madzibaba Moses said Wicknell did not only give material things but also brought people, including senior leaders within the Johanne Masowe movement, together.
“Sir Wicknell Chivayo assisted many people and, above everything, he united various people, including senior leaders of the Johanne Masowe at large,” he said.
His Eminence Sheikh Ishmael Duwa, president of the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs in Zimbabwe, said the country has lost a very good man.
“We have lost a man with a good heart – a businessman who could share his wealth with others,” Duwa said.
“We have many people with wealth but they do not see the need to assist others.”
Among other notable mourners yesterday was Mai TT who took her time to lead members of the Johanne Masowe in song.
“I like these choral spiritual songs. They take me back to the days I was among the inmates at Chikurubi, they heal souls, give hope and revive spirit,” she said.
Coach Rambo arrived with his entourage of bikers.
“Haaaa hatisi panhamo isu asi pakuCelebrator Sir Wicknell Chivayo’s life, may his soul rest in eternal peace,” one of the mourners was heard saying.
