Zimbabwean tycoon Wicknell Chivayo and wife buried after fatal helicopter crash
Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife were laid to rest near Harare following their deaths in a helicopter crash a week earlier. Chivayo was recognized for his entrepreneurial activities across several African countries and his philanthropic efforts, despite controversy over his close ties to Zimbabwe's ruling elite.
Brève Publié le (Africa/Lagos, UTC+1) · date de l'événement : 2026-10-08
Zimbabwean tycoon Wicknell Chivayo and his wife were buried near Harare on Thursday, a week after they died in a helicopter crash that also claimed four other lives.
At the burial, Chivayo was praised as an industrious businessman who expanded his ambitions across Africa, engaging with Heads of State in Kenya, Tanzania, and Eswatini to discuss renewable energy and infrastructure projects.
Charles Tawengwa, Harare Province minister, described Chivayo as a generous philanthropist who contributed widely across sectors and professions.
While Chivayo maintained close connections with Zimbabwe’s ruling party, his influence extended beyond national borders, with social media showing interactions with leaders in Eswatini, Kenya, and Uganda.
Despite his generosity, which included giving luxury vehicles and cash at public events, Chivayo’s lavish lifestyle contrasted with the economic hardships faced by many Zimbabweans, drawing both praise and cynicism.