Online Reporter
Lifestyle Writer
Loath or love him, Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo remains an enigma many struggle to decipher.
The one constant amidst his whirlwind of controversy is a flamboyant lifestyle – the undeniable proof of a burgeoning fortune that has now catapulted him into the exclusive club of Africa’s ultra-wealthy.
In a striking demonstration of his financial muscle, the Harare-based entrepreneur recently took delivery of a coveted Gulfstream G550 private jet, valued at a staggering US$34 million.
The transaction marks a major milestone in local aviation history.
Chivayo is only the second Zimbabwean businessman known to operate a private aircraft, joining the ranks of telecoms tycoon Strive Masiyiwa, who traditionally travels in a Bombardier Challenger 850. The Gulfstream G550 jet is favoured by billionaires, top athletes, celebrities and business leaders worldwide for its high-speed performance and luxurious cabin space.
Private jet ownership in Africa has grown over the last few decades, with the continent’s rich and famous increasingly using these luxurious aircraft for privacy, security and business travel.
And the Zimbabwean businessman is not one to miss tides of class and wealth.
Wealthy individuals and businesspeople are increasingly using jets not just as an emblem of their success, but as the most efficient tools to traverse the globe.
US tech billionaires Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos use similar long-range Gulfstream models to travel globally.
Some of the renowned figures who use the jet include Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, Microsoft founder Bill Gates and Oracle’s Larry Ellison. Media mogul Oprah Winfrey and basketball legend Michael Jordan and musician Ricky Ross also fly in Gulfstream jets.
To celebrate Chivayo’s milestone, hundreds of joyful Johane Masowe church followers gathered at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on June 11 to welcome the jet upon its maiden touchdown, before a massive convoy of branded vehicles escorted the businessman from the tarmac.
When not traversing the continent on business, the ultra-long-range jet is stationed at its Robert Mugabe International Airport base in Harare.
The aircraft is a bespoke flying boardroom tailored for elite global travel, featuring a custom tail number that incorporates Chivayo’s initials, “WMC,” alongside “777” – a number carrying deep spiritual significance within his Johane Masowe eChishanu faith.
The investment underscores the rapid expansion of his corporate portfolio via Intratrek Zimbabwe, IMC Communications, and logistics outfits operating across Kenya, Tanzania, Eswatini and South Africa.
Beneath the luxury lies a masterclass in aerospace engineering, built strictly to Gulfstream’s legendary manufacturing standards.
Performance and Propulsion: Twin Rolls-Royce BR710 C4-11 turbofan engines, delivering 15,385 lbf of thrust each.
Maximum Range: 6,750 nautical miles (12,501 km), allowing non-stop flights from Harare to London, Paris, or Milan.
Maximum Operating Speed: Mach 0.885, with a typical high-speed cruise of Mach 0.85.
Service Ceiling: A maximum cruising altitude of 51000 feet, flying far above commercial airline traffic. Cabin Dimensions & Capacity Passenger Capacity: Configured to carry up to 19 passengers in bespoke, high-end luxury seating. Cabin Length: 13.39 metres of usable living space, extending to 15.27 metres including the baggage compartment. Cabin Width: 2.24 metres of total width, tapering to 2.13 metres at the floor centreline.
Cabin Height: 1.88 metres of standing headroom, offering ample comfort for tall passengers. Connectivity: Fully equipped with state-of-the-art satellite communication systems for uninterrupted global business operations.
