Wicknell Chivayo, a flamboyant businessman often referred to as “Sir Wicknell,” has become a captivating, albeit divisive, figure in Zimbabwe. His habit of publicly showering individuals with luxury cars and significant amounts of cash has generated widespread discussion, leaving many citizens simultaneously impressed and concerned.
The Phenomenon of Public Gifting
Sir Wicknell’s generosity is anything but subtle. His gifts frequently include high-end vehicles such as Mercedes-Benzes, Toyota SUVs, and Range Rovers, sometimes presented with balloons and bows. These lavish donations are often announced on social media, detailing the recipient and collection instructions from upscale car dealerships in Harare.
Recipients span a wide spectrum of Zimbabwean society. They include prominent music artists like Jah Prayzah (who received a 2025 Range Rover Autobiography and $150,000 cash), up-and-coming gospel singers, footballers, church leaders, and individuals known for their loyalty to the ruling Zanu-PF party. Chivayo explicitly links some gifts to recipients’ “patriotism” and contributions to national unity.
The scale and frequency of this “public gifting” have reached a near-frenzied pace, often documented with flashy photos and messages. He reportedly also gifts houses and study scholarships privately, particularly to followers of his apostolic church. This behaviour has cemented his status as a symbol of Zimbabwe’s growing “flex culture” – the conspicuous display of wealth both online and in person.
A Lifestyle of Luxury and Online Display
Known for his personal taste for luxury, including a white Rolls-Royce and a fleet of customized vehicles (some of which he reportedly gives away as he acquires newer models), Sir Wicknell extensively uses platforms like Instagram to showcase his opulent lifestyle. Posts detailing international holidays, business trips, vast shoe collections, and his recent acquisition of a private jet fill his feed, eagerly consumed by tabloids and followers alike. His early posts dating back to 2013 already boasted about shopping being a hobby and the “headache” of being rich.
The Mystery of His Millions
While Sir Wicknell is open about his spending, the source of his substantial wealth faces considerable scrutiny, especially in a country where most people endure daily economic hardships. He claims his primary income comes from securing lucrative government tenders with foreign partners in sectors like renewable energy, engineering procurement, construction, and power projects. He also states he operates businesses in Kenya, South Africa, and Tanzania. More recently, his company, IMC Communications, became the licensed partner for Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service in Zimbabwe.
On social media, he presents himself as a hardworking “hustler” and a “self-made millionaire” with a “Midas touch.” He often references his humble beginnings in the Chitungwiza township after his father’s death, attributing his work ethic to these early struggles and, at times, linking his success to Zanu-PF’s empowerment policies.
Controversies and Political Ties
Sir Wicknell’s rise has been closely associated with controversy and his undeniable proximity to political power. He frequently posts photos alongside prominent politicians, including past and present Zimbabwean presidents Robert Mugabe and Emmerson Mnangagwa, and other African leaders. An anonymous businessman familiar with Chivayo suggested he is “politically protected.”
His business dealings have attracted significant scrutiny:
The Solar Tender: In 2013, his company Intratrek Zimbabwe won a $172.8m tender with a Chinese firm for a solar power plant. The project became embroiled in fraud allegations after Intratrek received an advance but allegedly failed to deliver. While Chivayo was later acquitted of criminal charges and won a civil case against the state power company for cancelling the contract, the tender remains a contentious point regarding his wealth origins.
Election Tender Allegations: In 2023, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) launched an inquiry after allegations surfaced from a South African non-profit claiming Chivayo facilitated a tender to supply election materials to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec), allegedly receiving millions. A leaked audio message, purportedly of Chivayo discussing the deal and implying influence over processes, intensified the scandal. Zec denied dealing with him, and Chivayo dismissed the audio as a sophisticated “deep fake,” apologizing to the President for any negative impression. Although ZACC has not charged Chivayo, two businessmen mentioned in the audio were later arrested on unrelated charges.
- Alleged Medical Equipment Contract: More recently, controversy erupted over a supposed leaked document from March suggesting a $500m contract for a company listing Chivayo as a director to supply cancer treatment equipment without a public tender. Both the government and Chivayo dismissed the document as “fake” and politically motivated, highlighting that it was unsigned.
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Despite these persistent controversies, Sir Wicknell largely avoids traditional media, having previously expressed a dislike for journalists. In rare interviews or public comments, he has defended his wealth as legitimately earned through hard work and business ventures. President Mnangagwa has publicly defended Chivayo’s gifting as philanthropy, denying accusations that the businessman acts as his financial frontman.
Ultimately, Sir Wicknell remains a figure who polarizes opinion in Zimbabwe. His audacious displays of wealth and seemingly endless gifting, while captivating, are overshadowed by unanswered questions regarding the source of his fortune and the implications of his close ties to the political elite. He states his focus is solely on accumulating wealth and silencing his “haters,” but his intertwined relationship with power ensures he will likely continue to navigate the waters of public fascination and deep-seated controversy.
