Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
A FRIEND of prominent businessman Wicknell Chivayo, Tazvi Mhaka, popularly known as Chief Jose, has described the businessman as a man who lived a full life, achieved his dreams and transformed the lives of others through his generosity.
Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, were among five people who perished in a helicopter crash in Marondera on Wednesday.
In a heartfelt tribute, Chief Jose said Chivayo has left behind a legacy measured not by the length of his life but by the number of people he touched and opportunities he created.
“A life well lived. Dreams achieved. Lives changed. The game changed. The bar raised,” said Mhaka
“My friend, you leave this world empty, not because you had nothing, but because you poured everything into living. You dreamt boldly, lived fully, opened doors and gave wholeheartedly.”
Chief Jose described Chivayo’s life as a “true story of rags to riches” and said his greatest wealth was not his material possessions but the impact he had on other people’s lives.
He said Chivayo had achieved in 45 years what many people might struggle to accomplish in a lifetime.
“Some people live up to 100 years and leave little behind. You only lived for 45 years, yet the dreams you achieved and the impact you made could fill a century. You truly lived,” he said.
Chief Jose also reflected on the inevitability of death and said the true measure of a person’s life was the legacy they left behind.
“In the end, none of us is coming out of this life alive. ‘Rufu harusekanwi.’ Death is the one appointment none of us can escape,” he said.
“The real measure of a life is not how long we lived, but what remains when we are gone. What did we do for our families, our friends and even complete strangers? Whose life became better because we lived?”
He thanked Chivayo for opening doors for others and pledged to continue pursuing the late businessman’s dreams and vision.
“Thank you for everything, my friend. Thank you for opening doors and showing us what was possible. I promise to keep your dreams and vision alive,” said Chief Jose.
He said Chivayo’s influence will continue through the people whose lives he touched.
“Great people never truly die. They live on through the hearts they touched, the doors they opened and the lives they changed,” he said.
Chief Jose described Chivayo as an “African Giant”.
“Rest well, my brother. You came. You lived. You gave. You conquered. Sleep well, African Giant.”
