07/11/2025
WHO IS WICKNELL CHIVAYO?
Sometimes you may wonder who is this always popping on your timeline, smiling and laughing with heads of states. He is who he thinks he is.
Wicknell Chivayo (born 22 November 1982) is a controversial Zimbabwean businessman known for his involvement in government tenders, flamboyant lifestyle, and close associations with the ruling ZANUโPF party. He has garnered both admiration and criticism for his lavish spending and philanthropic gestures, often intertwined with political undertones
Chivayo's wealth and spending habits have been subjects of public debate. Investigations have revealed that he spent over US$9.3 million on luxury cars and gifts within a 12-month period, raising questions about the sources of his income and the transparency of government contracts awarded to his companies. In 2025, he faced backlash for allegedly attempting to influence the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) elections by promising vehicles and financial incentives to voters, an act perceived by many as vote-buying. Chivayo denied the allegations, stating that his support for ZIFA was independent and not politically motivated.
In 2017, Chivayo married Sonja Madzikanda, reportedly paying a bride price of US$50,000. The wedding was attended by notable figures, including musician Oliver Mtukudzi, who performed at the ceremony.[8] In 2018, Chivayo publicly shared DNA test results to confirm paternity of his son, John Chenjera-Chivayo. In 2024, Chivayo and Madzikanda divorced after seven years of marriage. Chivayo cited irreconcilable differences, particularly tensions between Madzikanda and his family, as the primary reason for the separation. Despite the divorce, he stated that he continues to support his ex-wife and their children.
In March 2025, Chivayo married Lucy "Lulu" Muteke, with whom he had been in a relationship since late 2024. The couple held both traditional and religious wedding ceremonies, including a celebration within the Johane Masowe Echishanu congregation. The wedding was attended by over 15,000 guests and featured performances by artists such as Jah Prayzah and Killer T. Following their wedding, the couple embarked on a lavish honeymoon at the Masai Mara lodges in Kenya, indulging in gourmet meals, private game drives, and helicopter rides over the Mara plains.Lulu Chivayo is not from an poor background she learnt at Watershed College one of the most expensive schools in Zimbabwe and her family owns a lush farm in Marondera. She was raised well and is a great match for the Wicknell Chivayo