News / National
Tagwirei splashes US$2m on Mnangagwa's birthday
18 Sep 2025 at 09:40hrs | 482 Views
ZANU-PF benefactor and President Emmerson Mnangagwa's close ally, Kudakwashe Tagwirei, reportedly bankrolled this year's Munhumutapa Day commemorations and the President's birthday festivities in Zvishavane to the tune of at least US$2 million.
The commemorations, which coincided with Mnangagwa's 83rd birthday on Monday, saw thousands of ruling party youths ferried to the Midlands province for the event. Sources revealed that the business magnate, who is also ZANU-PF's central committee nominee for Harare province, spent over US$120,000 on catering from Chicken Slice and a similar amount on Chicken Inn to feed the crowds.
ZANU-PF youth league secretary for commissariat Taurai Kandishaya inadvertently confirmed Tagwirei's financial backing in a social media post, describing the tycoon as the "major sponsor and partner" of the celebrations.
"On behalf of Africa youth, I would like to extend heartfelt appreciation to President ED Mnangagwa for hosting us at his Zvishavane home ground to celebrate Munhumutapa Day and his birthday," Kandishaya wrote.
"Special thanks to Cde Kuda Tagwirei, the programme's major sponsor and partner for making it happen. Your trust and loyalty to President ED's leadership are evident in your willingness to partner in any event that advances his national vision."
Party officials openly acknowledged Tagwirei's role, with deputy secretary for security Tendai Chirau saying the success of the festivities was a direct result of the businessman's logistical support.
"It is key to appreciate selfless cadres who make things happen," Chirau noted. "It's not asking much."
Mnangagwa's birthday now coincides with Munhumutapa Day, a holiday declared to honour Zimbabwe's ancestral heritage through the legacy of the Munhumutapa kingship.
Tagwirei's largesse has long underpinned Mnangagwa's political survival. Since the 2017 military-assisted transition that propelled Mnangagwa to power, the tycoon has been his chief financial backer, notably funding the controversial Command Agriculture programme that Parliament later accused of haemorrhaging more than US$3 billion.
For his deep ties with Zimbabwe's ruling elite, Tagwirei has faced sanctions from both the United States and the United Kingdom. Nevertheless, he remains ZANU-PF's foremost financier, sustaining the party with campaign resources, vehicles, and salaries.
His influence stretches back to the late President Robert Mugabe's era when he controversially landed the lucrative Dema diesel power plant contract ahead of American bidders.
With his latest cash injection, Tagwirei has once again demonstrated his entrenched role as Mnangagwa's indispensable ally and benefactor.
The commemorations, which coincided with Mnangagwa's 83rd birthday on Monday, saw thousands of ruling party youths ferried to the Midlands province for the event. Sources revealed that the business magnate, who is also ZANU-PF's central committee nominee for Harare province, spent over US$120,000 on catering from Chicken Slice and a similar amount on Chicken Inn to feed the crowds.
ZANU-PF youth league secretary for commissariat Taurai Kandishaya inadvertently confirmed Tagwirei's financial backing in a social media post, describing the tycoon as the "major sponsor and partner" of the celebrations.
"On behalf of Africa youth, I would like to extend heartfelt appreciation to President ED Mnangagwa for hosting us at his Zvishavane home ground to celebrate Munhumutapa Day and his birthday," Kandishaya wrote.
"Special thanks to Cde Kuda Tagwirei, the programme's major sponsor and partner for making it happen. Your trust and loyalty to President ED's leadership are evident in your willingness to partner in any event that advances his national vision."
Party officials openly acknowledged Tagwirei's role, with deputy secretary for security Tendai Chirau saying the success of the festivities was a direct result of the businessman's logistical support.
Mnangagwa's birthday now coincides with Munhumutapa Day, a holiday declared to honour Zimbabwe's ancestral heritage through the legacy of the Munhumutapa kingship.
Tagwirei's largesse has long underpinned Mnangagwa's political survival. Since the 2017 military-assisted transition that propelled Mnangagwa to power, the tycoon has been his chief financial backer, notably funding the controversial Command Agriculture programme that Parliament later accused of haemorrhaging more than US$3 billion.
For his deep ties with Zimbabwe's ruling elite, Tagwirei has faced sanctions from both the United States and the United Kingdom. Nevertheless, he remains ZANU-PF's foremost financier, sustaining the party with campaign resources, vehicles, and salaries.
His influence stretches back to the late President Robert Mugabe's era when he controversially landed the lucrative Dema diesel power plant contract ahead of American bidders.
With his latest cash injection, Tagwirei has once again demonstrated his entrenched role as Mnangagwa's indispensable ally and benefactor.
Source - Newsday
