Online Reporter
Wallace Ruzvidzo-Herald Reporter
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has described the death of businessman and philanthropist Mr Wicknell Chivayo, his wife Lucy, two crew members and a security aide in a helicopter crash as a devastating loss to Zimbabwe, saying the tragedy had left the nation, his family and him personally in profound shock.
The helicopter crashed in Marondera on Wednesday, killing all five people on board and cutting short what the President described as a life marked by enterprise, philanthropy and ambitious plans for the country.
President Mnangagwa said the Chivayo family had made major contributions to communities across Zimbabwe through extensive charitable work, with its generosity reaching people and institutions in a wide range of sectors.
“The sudden and unexpected tragic passing on of Mr and Mrs Chivayo, two crew members and a security aide in a helicopter crash yesterday afternoon left our nation, my family, and me personally numbed and in deep shock and grief,” he said.
“We are all shattered by this unexpected, sudden demise of so young a family and officers for whom so much promise held.”
President Mnangagwa said Mr Chivayo had combined his business activities with a strong commitment to philanthropy, supporting people from different walks of life and contributing millions of dollars to various causes.
He said the businessman’s influence extended beyond individual charitable interventions, with Mr Chivayo developing a wider vision for Zimbabwe and the region and seeking to contribute to the country’s international profile.
“Consummately philanthropic, the Chivayo family touched so many lives in our nation through its countless acts of charity, and generosity which ran into millions of dollars, and which motivated and transformed countless lives.
“Its generous hand cut across sectors and reached many individuals: in politics, religion, public service, culture, sport and many different professions,” said the President.
Mr Chivayo, he said, had also embraced the Second Republic’s drive to promote indigenous business and enterprise, while ensuring that his activities had a social dimension, adding that the businessman had envisioned opportunities not only for his own family, but also for Zimbabwe, Southern Africa and the continent as a whole.
“The late Wicknell Chivayo had a grand vision for his family, for our country, for the Southern African subregion and for our African continent, in pursuit of which he, in his own way, deepened our programme of engagement and re- engagement, thus raising the Zimbabwean flag high.
“Indeed, he embodied the Second Republic’s ethos of indigenous enterprise tempered with a human face, an admirable legacy which is sure to inspire a generation,” said President Mnangagwa.
He said Mr Chivayo had been working on a number of initiatives intended to benefit disadvantaged Zimbabweans, including war veterans, and had discussed some of the projects with him shortly before his death.
The President said their last such discussion had taken place on Tuesday, just a day before the fatal crash.
“I am personally aware of numerous plans he had for our Nation and our people, principally the less privileged ones and our war veterans, whose social condition he diligently worked to ameliorate.
“He shared with me some of these grand plans only this last Tuesday after our Cabinet meeting, just a day before his tragic end.
“Tellingly, the Chivayos lost their lives on their way back from Gandami in rural Chikomba where they were putting up modern family and community structures, all in line with our policy on rural development through investments, industrialisation development and transformation.
“His vision thus dovetailed with, and located itself within our broad national goals,” he said.
President Mnangagwa extended his condolences to the Chivayo family and the families of the other victims, saying the country stood with them as they grappled with the sudden loss.
He urged the bereaved families to draw strength from the lives and service of those who died, saying their contribution to Zimbabwe would remain part of their legacy.
“On behalf of our Nation, my Family and on my behalf, I wish to express my deepest, heartfelt condolences to the Chivayo Family, and to the families of all those lost in yesterday’s tragic crash.
“We mourn with and stand by them in this hour of deep, inconsolable grief and pain,” said President Mnangagwa.
He said the deceased should be remembered not only for the circumstances of their deaths, but also for the contribution they made during their lives.
“As they go through the motions of this consuming tragedy, may the bereaved families find solace and comfort in the great and distinguished work and service which the dear departed rendered to our Nation, and for which they will continue to be remembered and emulated.
“May their dear souls be rested eternally,” said the President.
Tributes continue pouring in for the late businessman, his wife, aide and crew members who perished aboard the helicopter.
