Sir Wicknell Chivayo: Zimbabwe’s Flashy Tycoon Who Gives Away Cars, Cash – and Commands a Nation’s Attention

In a nation where many struggle with daily basics, one man’s extravagant generosity has captured both awe and unease. Wicknell Chivayo, a controversial Zimbabwean businessman who goes by “Sir Wicknell,” is dazzling the country with a modern-day spectacle of riches: luxury car giveaways, wads of U.S. dollars, and life-changing gifts to strangers – all wrapped in patriotic messaging and social media fanfare.

From gleaming Mercedes-Benzes and Toyota Land Cruisers to top-tier Range Rovers, Chivayo has handed over an array of elite vehicles to recipients ranging from gospel singers and church leaders to footballers, musicians, and influencers – especially those who openly support the ruling Zanu-PF party. Even individuals he has never met have been surprised with new wheels and envelopes of cash.

The man behind the giving is a 44-year-old businessman with a taste for opulence. With a fleet that includes white Rolls-Royces and custom-number-plated cars, he is often spotted jet-setting between Dubai, New York, and Harare. His Instagram feed, a curated archive of luxury, is part personal diary, part public gallery of his largesse. In the past year, it has become a showcase for what many call Zimbabwe’s boldest display of “flex culture.”

Each donation follows a dramatic script. A luxury car decked with balloons and a congratulatory post tags the recipient and tells them where to pick up their vehicle – usually from high-end dealerships in Harare like Exquisite Motors. When popular musician Jah Prayzah was gifted a 2025 Range Rover Autobiography, Chivayo added that $150,000 in cash awaited him at the dealership. The car bore a custom “Wagwizi” number plate – the artist’s nickname – adding a personal touch to the public spectacle.

“This is just a small token of my gratitude for your immense contribution to Zimbabwean music and your patriotism in uniting thousands of people through music,” Chivayo wrote in the announcement.

His philanthropy extends beyond the camera’s lens. Chivayo has also paid for houses and scholarships for members of the Zion Christian Church, an influential apostolic denomination in Zimbabwe known for outdoor worship and white robes. His influence, bolstered by Zanu-PF praise and endorsements, has grown in tandem with his giving.

Yet, while he openly flaunts his spending, the source of Chivayo’s wealth remains under intense scrutiny. Zimbabweans question how a man who once served jail time for fraud has risen to such financial heights. His financial dealings are opaque, and the political connections he displays in photos – from former president Robert Mugabe to current President Emmerson Mnangagwa and visiting African heads of state – only deepen speculation.

“He is very hands-on with his business dealings, very much on the ground and keeping tabs on how every cent is spent,” said a local businessman familiar with Chivayo, who spoke anonymously. “It’s clear that he is politically protected.”

Years ago, during a stint at Chikurubi Maximum Prison, Chivayo shared a cell block with British mercenary Simon Mann, who described him in his memoir as “well-educated” and deeply loyal to Zanu-PF. According to Mann, Chivayo warned against criticizing the ruling party and declared: “In Africa the unsolicited gift is massively powerful.” Today, that remark rings louder than ever.

While some celebrate Chivayo’s charitable impulse, others view it as calculated – a spectacle of power dressed in generosity. His giveaways have won him fame, fans, and fierce critics. But in a country where most navigate economic hardship, Sir Wicknell’s brand of philanthropy – glitzy, spontaneous, and politically tinged – has made him one of the most talked-about figures in Zimbabwe today.