Online Reporter
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
CHIMURENGA music legend Thomas “Mukanya” Mapfumo is set to return to Zimbabwe for two high-profile performances after appearing to accept an invitation from businessman Wicknell Chivayo to perform at Jah Prayzah’s rumoured wedding and at Chivayo’s birthday celebrations.
The development follows Chivayo’s public pledge earlier this month to pay the veteran musician a combined US$1 million for the two appearances, an offer that has generated widespread discussion across social media and the entertainment industry.
On July 4, while celebrating Jah Prayzah’s birthday, Chivayo gifted the award-winning musician a brand-new 2026 Ford Ranger Platinum and US$250 000 in cash. During the celebrations, he also extended an extraordinary offer involving Mapfumo, whom he described as Jah Prayzah’s mentor and one of Africa’s greatest musical icons.
“RUMOUR has it that there may be WEDDING BELLS this coming August. After all the gifts you have received from me over the years, I will NOT SPOIL you too much on your wedding day. However, there is ONE wedding gift that would give me the GREATEST PLEASURE of all.
“If the wedding is there, I will be happy for you to invite the LEGENDARY Thomas ‘MUKANYA’ Mapfumo, your MBIRA mentor and one of Africa’s greatest CHIMURENGA MUSIC icons, to perform on your special day. If he accepts this invitation, I will personally pay him US$500 000 in CASH for that performance,” wrote Chivayo.
He further pledged that should the wedding performance fail to materialise, he would still invite Mapfumo to perform at his own birthday celebrations for the same fee, bringing the potential total payout to US$1 million.
In a video shared by Chivayo on Monday, Mapfumo confirmed that he would be travelling to Zimbabwe for both occasions.
“Ndati ndikuudzei kuti tirikuuya kuZimbabwe kuzoridza kubirthday raWicknell Chivayo nemuchato waJah Prayzah. Jah Prayzah mwana kwandiri, anotofarawo kuti ndakamuridzira kumuchato wake, saka tiri kuuya,” said Mapfumo.
This statement serves as confirmation that the veteran musician is ready to take part in the two events, potentially marking one of his most significant performances in Zimbabwe in recent years.
Responding to the video, Chivayo reiterated his commitment to honouring the financial offer he made to the music icon.
“I am PLEASED to announce that I will WHOLEHEARTEDLY honour my commitment by paying a record-breaking US$1 MILLION for these two shows at US$500 000 per show. This will make the legendary THOMAS TAFIRENYIKA MAPFUMO the HIGHEST PAID SINGER ever in the history of our beloved country.
“I say a BIG CONGRATULATIONS to you, MUKANYA, my best singer of all time, for making this decision consciously and INDEPENDENTLY, without any influence from the NAYSAYERS who have never contributed anything meaningful to your WELFARE or to your extraordinary legacy.
“This is my small way of thanking you for your IMMENSE contribution to Zimbabwe’s music and arts industry over the years, and, more importantly, for the INSPIRATION your music provided during the LIBERATION struggle that brought about our historic and precious INDEPENDENCE.
“Your music has EDUCATED, inspired, UNITED and comforted generations of Zimbabweans, and your legacy will continue to live on for many years to come.”
Should the performances go ahead as planned, the events would bring together two of Zimbabwe’s most influential musical figures, Mapfumo and Jah Prayzah, while also marking what could become one of the most lucrative performance arrangements in the country’s entertainment history.
