By Zachary Gava
Harare, October 8, 2026 ( New Ziana) – Prominent businessman and philanthropist Wicknell Chivhayo was on Thursday laid to rest alongside his wife, Lucy Muteke, at Sahwira Glen Forest Memorial Park in Harare, with the Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan Province, Solomon Tavengwa, who was the chief mourner, urging mourners to remember him not only for the wealth he accumulated, but for the energy he invested in assisting others.
Tavengwa said Chivhayo’s sudden death had robbed Zimbabwe and the wider African continent of a businessman who had ambitious plans for development.
He said the nation had gathered not only to mourn Chivhayo and Muteke, but also the other victims of the helicopter crash that claimed their lives on September 30.
“Today, we join the Chivhayo family and his wife’s relatives in this final farewell. His demise was sudden, shocking and hard to believe. We also mourn those who died with him in this tragic helicopter accident,” Tavengwa said.
Tavengwa described Chivhayo as a businessman whose ambitions extended beyond his personal success, saying he had spoken of major development projects for Zimbabwe and the continent.
“Wicknell had massive development plans for Zimbabwe in general and Africa at large. What we admired was his determination to see his people prosper. He wanted to see development, he wanted to see people benefiting and he wanted to contribute to the prosperity of his country and his continent,” he said.
He said Chivhayo’s legacy should also be measured through the assistance he extended to individuals, churches, artists, sporting personalities and communities, adding that his philanthropy had become one of the most visible features of his public life.
“In our sorrow, we should also celebrate his energy — that energy that he used to give, to support people and to help communities. We should remember the philanthropy he demonstrated, the people he assisted and the love he showed for his children and for the community that raised him,” he said.
Tavengwa said Chivhayo’s affection for his family and his roots should form part of the legacy left behind by the flamboyant businessman, whose public profile was often defined by luxury, business, philanthropy and high-profile relationships.
“He will forever be remembered for his philanthropy, for his love of his children and for the love he had for the community that raised him. Those are the things that should remain with us as we remember him,” he said.
He also highlighted the State recognition bestowed on Chivhayo following his death, saying his conferment with Provincial Hero status by President Emmerson Mnangagwa was an acknowledgement of his contribution to national development and charitable causes.
The honour was reflected in his send-off, with Chivhayo receiving a ceremonial gun-salute befitting his Provincial Hero status, adding a formal state dimension to a funeral that drew mourners from across the country.
Tavengwa said Chivhayo had grown into a prominent businessman whose influence stretched beyond Zimbabwe’s borders.
“He was a prominent businessperson whose influence stretched beyond our country. His relationships and engagements went beyond Zimbabwe, and his vision was not confined to one nation. He saw possibilities for Zimbabwe within a bigger African picture,” he said.
The funeral brought together senior government officials, church leaders, prominent businesspeople, artists and ordinary citizens, reflecting the unusually broad network Chivhayo built during his lifetime.
Tributes also came from outside Zimbabwe, underlining the regional relationships he cultivated, with Kenyan President William Ruto remembering him as a personal friend, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan sending her condolences and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa conveying his condolences to President Mnangagwa following the tragedy.
Even in death, Chivhayo’s famously flamboyant taste was evident as the couple’s coffins were custom-designed with luxury-car styling, with that of the businessman carrying a Rolls-Royce-inspired front grille while his wifes featured Mercedes-Benz-inspired detailing.
The designs offered a final visual reminder of the couple’s association with luxury vehicles and a lifestyle that had become a defining part of Chivhayo’s public persona.
Chivhayo and Muteke were buried side by side, in separate graves prepared at the memorial park, bringing to an end a week of mourning that followed the fatal helicopter crash.
Born on November 22, 1980, in the Gandami area of Chivhu, Mashonaland East province, Chivhayo’s journey to prominence was rooted in relatively modest beginnings.
He attended Dudley Hall Primary School before proceeding to Churchill Boys High School in Harare with his formal education ending while he was still young, after which he entered the world of work, initially as a wages clerk at a local bus company.
From those beginnings, he built a high-profile business career and became founder of Intratrek Zimbabwe, while simultaneously cultivating a reputation as one of the country’s most conspicuous philanthropists, with his generosity often highly public, extending to churches, musicians, sports personalities, individuals and community initiatives.
President Mnangagwa, in his own tribute following Chivhayo’s death, described his charitable giving as reaching millions of dollars and touching people across politics, religion, public service, culture and sport.
Chivhayo, Muteke and three others died on September 30 when the Bell 430 helicopter they were travelling in crashed at Kudenga Farm in the Marondera rurasl area while travelling from Gandami in Chikomba towards Harare, with the other victims including pilot Calvin Tafirei Soda, co-pilot Courage Mutavirwa and Muteke’s aide Sanelisiwe Magagula.
Investigations into the accident are continuing, with authorities saying the wreckage has been moved to Charles Prince Airport for detailed forensic examination.
A preliminary report is expected within 30 days of the accident and will examine issues including the wreckage, weather conditions, maintenance records as well as the operator and crew.
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