Online Reporter
Tafadzwa Zimoyo
Zimpapers Entertainment Editor
First, it wasn’t a movie.
It was NEITHER a scripted reality show nor one of those glamorous Hollywood scenes where music moguls like Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs (before his legal troubles) casually mingle with billionaires while million-dollar deals are sealed over dinner.
Yet for a few unforgettable hours last Friday, that was exactly the feeling inside a local Harare hotel.
They say what happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas.
Well, what happened in Harare deserves to be talked about for years to come.
Money floated across the room like butterflies dancing in a flower garden as Zimbabwe’s business elite splashed eye-watering amounts on a book.
It was not an auction of luxury cars, prime real estate, or rare artwork.
It was a book launch.
Businessman, musician and entrepreneur Mudiwa Hood transformed what is traditionally a quiet literary affair into one of the most extravagant business events, attracting a room packed with millionaires, corporate executives, entrepreneurs and influential business personalities.
The centre-piece of the evening was his 89-page book, “How to Make Money in the Shortest Time Possible,” a publication in which he shares practical lessons and personal experiences on building wealth.
Before guests could even digest its contents, the bidding had already become the headline.
One-by-one, copies of the book attracted astonishing figures as Zimbabwe’s “mbingas” competed to support the project.
By the end of the evening, book sales had surpassed US$300 000, turning the launch into a financial spectacle rarely witnessed in the local publishing industry.
Guest of honour Ambassador Uebert Angel stunned the room after purchasing a copy for US$99 000. Business tycoon Phillip Chiyangwa then raised the stakes, buying his copy for US$100 000, while several other prominent businessmen willingly paid US$5 000 and US$3 000 for theirs.
Then came one of the night’s defining moments.
With a smile, Mudiwa turned to Ambassador Angel and made an unexpected request.
“Since you have bought yours, can you buy one for everyone in this room?”
Without hesitation, Ambassador Angel agreed, prompting loud cheers and a standing ovation from the audience.
As if that was not enough, businessman Ken Sharpe, who wrote the foreword to the book, via Zoom presented Mudiwa with a remarkable gift — either a house or the equivalent of 50 000 bricks — in recognition of his achievement. Behind the glamour and flashing cameras, however, was a touching story of humble beginnings.
Addressing the audience, Mudiwa became emotional as he acknowledged his parents, who were seated in the front row.
“My father was a bus driver and my mother was a hawker. She used to carry bags every day, and to this day she has a problem with her left shoulder because of that work. I always told myself I would become my parents’ retirement plan, and today I am happy they are enjoying the benefits,” he said.
His remarks earned one of the loudest rounds of applause of the evening.
Mudiwa explained that the motivation behind writing the book was simple.
“The reason I wrote this book is to solve problems. Money has an address. If you know where it is, you can find it.”
He challenged aspiring entrepreneurs to intentionally position themselves for financial success.
“Build relationships with rich people because proximity changes your mindset,” he advised.
“Sell expensive things. Wealthy people pay for value.”
Reflecting on his own journey, Mudiwa credited businessman Lance Mambondiyani for opening the door to his corporate career.
“He gave me my first opportunity to enter the corporate world. I later worked as a banker for eight years, and those years shaped my understanding of finance and business.”
The businessman also revealed that he has not abandoned music.
He announced that his forthcoming album, Dhara reMadhara, will be released on August 1 and features collaborations with gospel singer Canaan Nyathi and music superstar Jah Prayzah.
“I have a song with Jah Prayzah, among others, and every song already has a music video. I’m moving with the trends,” he said.
Guests were treated to a live performance of Makanaka Mwari, as Mudiwa shared the stage with Canaan Nyathi, adding a musical flavour to an evening largely dominated by business conversations.
Ambassador Angel praised Mudiwa’s determination and intellect while thanking the corporate community for rallying behind the project.
“He is an intelligent man, full of wisdom. I am sure I am somewhere in this book because we share the same wisdom. He copies what I do,” he joked, leaving the audience in stitches.
As guests mingled long after the official programme had ended, one thing was clear: this was never just about selling books.
It was about celebrating entrepreneurship, inspiring wealth creation, and proving that knowledge, when packaged with vision and belief, can command extraordinary value.
For one evening at least, Harare looked every bit like the playground of the world’s business elite, where books were worth fortunes and ambition had no price tag.
