The final farewell to businessman and philanthropist Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, takes place today as family, friends, church members and thousands of mourners gather to witness their burial at Sahwira Glen Forest Memorial Park in Harare.
The couple’s remains are expected to arrive at the memorial park later today following yesterday’s emotional procession through Harare’s central business district, which drew huge crowds and brought parts of the city centre to a standstill.
Today’s proceedings mark the end of a highly publicised farewell to a couple whose lives, business interests and philanthropic activities left a significant mark on Zimbabwean society.
Tears, prayers as Chivayo, Lulu’s relatives and friends bid farewell
The atmosphere here is heavy with grief as relatives, friends and associates gather to bid farewell to the flamboyant businessman and his wife.
Mourners are seen consoling one another, with tears flowing as family members and close friends come to terms with the deaths. The sombre proceedings are punctuated by prayers, hymns and moments of silence as mourners pay their final respects.
Friends and associates have also gathered in large numbers, reflecting on Chivayo’s life, business career and philanthropic work.
Church members and other mourners continue to sing hymns and offer prayers, creating a solemn atmosphere as the funeral service progresses and the final farewell draws closer.
Muteke family pays tribute to Lucy, son-in-law Wicknell
The Muteke family has paid tribute to Lucy Muteke and her husband, businessman Wicknell Chivayo, as family and friends gathered for their funeral service in Gletwyn.
Speaking at the funeral service, a representative of the Muteke family, Baba Muteke, thanked mourners for standing with the family during this difficult period.
“I just want to say thank you to all who have come to be with us today,” he said
“We are hurting, but we found comfort from our in-laws and the church for coming to be with us all the way.
“The way they died hurts, but we accept it and leave it to God to be our comforter. I also find comfort in the fact that my daughter had found God by the time of her death.”
Family representative only identified as Mother Rose described Lucy as a loving and caring daughter.
“Lucy was a child who was so dear to me, so loving and caring. We are hurting but we pray that God gives us strength to accept this,” she said.
Lucy’s brother, Gerald Muteke, thanked the Chivayo family for the close relationship the two families had maintained since Lucy and Wicknell got married.
“We thank the Chivayo family because we have been together since the two got married. We have been working cordially with our in-laws throughout the funeral process.
“Lucy was my baby sister, and we did almost everything together. It’s going to be difficult living without her.”
Lucy’s sisters Fungai and Vari also spoke emotionally about their loss, struggling to hold back tears as they remembered her.
Vari said she had taken on a mother-figure role in Lucy’s life and was deeply hurt by her death.
Wicknell’s ‘Mukuru wemazuva’ nickname explained
The meaning behind the nickname “Mukuru wemazuva” given to businessman Wicknell Chivayo has been explained by
his family during his funeral service at his Gletwyn home.
Baba Naison Chivayo, the brother of Wicknell’s father, said the businessman had been given several nicknames over the years, including ‘Mhitsa’ when growing up and ‘Bigger Preacher’ at church.
“We gave him the nickname ‘Mhitsa’ because of his body. But then he was given another one called ‘Bigger Preacher’ due to his philanthropic work;” he said.
“He asked me about clarity on the name ‘Mukuru wemazuva’ as he wanted to understand what it means,” he said.
“People gave him the name ‘Mukuru wemazuva’ because they said we have seen the greatness of God through your
generosity. The way he gave to people, including strangers, was God sent, that’s what they said.
“I must say Wicknell never gave himself the name nor did he see himself as God, but people gave him this name because he was acting in his likeness,” he said.
Wicknell Munodaani Chivayo Senior, brother to Wicknell’s father, said Chivayo grew up in Selous and attended Dudley Hall.
“Wicknell grew up in Selous and attended Dudley Hall there,” he said.
“Growing up, he was everyone’s friend, always jovial and joking with people.”
He said Chivayo’s generosity and public profile eventually made him a person who belonged to Zimbabwe as a whole.
“As he started his business, he ceased to be only a Chivayo but belonged to Zimbabwe as a whole,” he said.
“He was a generous person who liked helping the family greatly.”
Ms Makaza, the sister of Wicknell’s mother who stood in as his mother, said she never imagined she would be mourning him.
“I never thought today I would be here mourning Wicknell,” she said.
“I thought he was the one who was going to bury me. We are hurt, this man had an incredibly good heart.”
Chivayo’s brother David also spoke about the role Wicknell played in bringing the Chivayo family together.
His sister Esther, accompanied by six other sisters, spoke emotionally about the loss of Wicknell and his wife, Lucy Muteke.
“We loved Wicknell and our sister-in-law Lucy and we are filled with tears and sadness,” she said.
“Death is difficult to accept, but it’s the way for us all, and we hope in time the wound will heal.
“Wicknell will continue living through our love and through our stories,” she said.
