The Sunday Mail
Kuda Bwititi
Chief Reporter
He is currently one of the most talked about personalities in the country due to his extravagance. Many have said that his lifestyle borders on arrogance.
Last week, he hogged the limelight yet again after splashing US$72 000 and many other gifts on Zimbabwe’s national soccer team. Further, he dangled a carrot of US$250 000 to the Warriors should they qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations tournament set for Gabon next year.
This, he says is all on top of a sponsorship deal of US$1 million that he has pledged to the Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) in support of the country’s football teams.
Recently, Wicknell Chivayo also handed 100 000 rand to comedian Baba Tencen.
Yet very little is known about this young businessman who has got the attention of so many people.
Last week, 35-year-old Chivayo opened up to The Sunday Mail about his professional and personal life.
Chivayo said football is a national sport that is employing a portion of the country’s youths and therefore it has to be supported. “Besides employing many talented young Zimbabweans and providing an opportunity for them to improve their livelihoods, football is the national sport.
“I have vivid memories of the heydays of the dream team under Reinhard Fabisch and when my big brother Phil Chiyangwa sold his vision to put Zimbabwe back on the football map, I was captivated by his passion. We are going to return the feel good factor back into our football.”
The outspoken businessman said he is not bothered by the criticism he gets for splurging his wealth.
“No one can please everyone all the time. My hard hitting posts on social media actually inspires my legion of fans to focus, work hard and enjoy their success.
“The same people who criticise me are my most avid followers on social media, and I am sure deep down they are motivated by my cash talk.”
It is alleged that Chivayo was involved in illegal deals but somehow managed to evade the law and is now cleaning up his money. But the businessman denied this, saying that he horned his skills as an entrepreneur at a young age.
He said the death of his father, when he was only 10 years old, pushed him to become an entrepreneur early in life.
“The untimely death of my father in a tragic car accident in 1990 was a traumatic life changing event. I was 10 at the time, the only son, and overnight I became a father and breadwinner for the family.
“Through the efforts of well-wishers and close family members, I managed to continue with my education but by the time I was an ‘O’ level student, the pressure of poverty was too much so I had no option but to be successful.
“When life gives you lemons, you have to make lemonade. I immediately became an entrepreneur because my siblings and my mother needed assistance to make ends meet.
“I was among the pioneers of cell phones and sim-cards trading from a little partitioned office at Ximex mall between 1998 and 2000 with some of my friends.
“The rest as they say, is history. I managed to navigate the dynamic business environment in Zimbabwe, made a few mistakes along the way, picked myself up and kept improving my footprint in the business environment.”
Chivayo said Intratek, his company, has become a huge success after winning tenders for major national energy projects such as the Gwanda 100 MW solar power project, the 30 MW Gairezi hydro power plant and the 100 MW Munyati thermal power plant. He attributed his success as a businessman to the opportunities created through Government’s lndigenisation and Economic Empowerment Policy.
Chivayo said his extravagant spending is inspired by his generosity.
“When I am overwhelmed with joy, my generosity knows no bounds.
“According to the gospel of St. Luke ‘to whomever much is given, of him will much be required; and to whom much was entrusted, of him more will be asked…’. “Those who know me well will testify that I am generous by nature and as they say charity begins at home. I am giving back to the nation by providing precious memories that will forever live in their hearts.
“That’s why I was overwhelmed with joy to see the warriors in front of their long suffering fans dealing a crushing blow to Swaziland. When I am overwhelmed with joy, my generosity knows no bounds.”
Chivayo said he is not yet married and does not have any children.
