Wicknell Chivayo facts for kids

Wicknell Chivayo (born on November 22, 1982) is a Zimbabwean businessman. He is known for his business deals with the government and his generous gifts to different people. He is also known for his connections with the ruling ZANU–PF political party. People have different opinions about his spending and his kind actions, which are sometimes linked to politics.

Early Life and Education

Wicknell Chivayo was born in Harare, the capital city of Zimbabwe. Not much information is publicly available about his early life or where he went to school.

Business Career and Projects

Chivayo is the founder and CEO of a company called Intratrek Zimbabwe. This company has won several important contracts from the government. Many of these contracts are in the energy sector, which deals with power and electricity.

Gwanda Solar Project

One of his biggest projects is the Gwanda Solar Project. This project was planned to build a large solar power plant. It was valued at about US$173 million. Even though his company received payments, the project faced some challenges and delays. In 2025, the government announced that they planned to restart the project. The Energy Minister, July Moyo, said that new plans were in place after some legal matters were finished.

Generosity and Public Gifts

Wicknell Chivayo has often been in the news for giving very generous gifts. He has given gifts to musicians, journalists, and religious leaders.

Notable Gifts

• In May 2025, he gave a brand-new 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser VXR LX 300 Series car to a well-known broadcaster named Reuben Barwe. He also gave him US$100,000 in cash.
• He has also been very generous to the musician Jah Prayzah. Jah Prayzah has reportedly received gifts worth almost US$1 million from Chivayo. These gifts include luxury cars and cash.
• In May 2025, Chivayo gave Jah Prayzah a 2025 Range Rover Autobiography car. He also gave him US$150,000 in cash. This was to celebrate the launch of Jah Prayzah's album "Ndini Mukudzei."

Political Connections

Chivayo is a strong supporter of the ZANU–PF political party. He also supports President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Support for the President

He has publicly said that he believes President Mnangagwa should stay in office longer than the usual term limits. This idea has caused some discussions within the political party. His close relationship with the president has also been a topic of conversation. Some members of the party have wondered about Chivayo's influence.

Public Statements

In January 2025, Chivayo publicly shared his thoughts about Acting President Constantino Chiwenga. This happened after Chiwenga spoke about some issues within the party.

Personal Life

Wicknell Chivayo's personal life has also been in the public eye.

First Marriage

In 2017, Chivayo married Sonja Madzikanda. Reports say he paid a bride price of US$50,000. Their wedding was attended by famous people, including the musician Oliver Mtukudzi, who performed at the event. In 2018, Chivayo publicly shared DNA test results to confirm he was the father of his son, John Chenjera-Chivayo. In 2024, Chivayo and Madzikanda divorced after seven years of marriage. Chivayo said they had differences that they could not fix, especially tensions between Madzikanda and his family. He also stated that he continues to support his ex-wife and their children.

Second Marriage

In March 2025, Chivayo married Lucy "Lulu" Muteke. They had been in a relationship since late 2024. The couple had both traditional and religious wedding ceremonies. One celebration was with the Johane Masowe Echishanu church. More than 15,000 guests attended the wedding. Musicians like Jah Prayzah and Killer T performed there. After their wedding, the couple went on a special honeymoon. They visited the Masai Mara lodges in Kenya. They enjoyed nice meals, private safaris, and helicopter rides over the Mara plains. Lulu Chivayo comes from a good background. She attended Watershed College, which is one of the most expensive schools in Zimbabwe. Her family also owns a large farm in Marondera.