Opinion / Columnist
Who the hell is Sir Wicknell?
31 May 2014 at 14:03hrs | Views
He has money and loves flaunting it, irking many in the process. Who exactly is this obnoxious young millionaire?
EVERYONE in Harare who has access to social media networks must be wondering: Who exactly is this Wicknell Chivayo? How did he make so much money? How is he connected to the important people he shows off? Is he a businessman, a socialite or both? As the young man continues to splash cash on expensive jewellery and luxury cars it is difficult not to wonder if this is not a case of money in the wrong hands?
Facebook users regularly wake up to outlandish posts by Chivayo who, despite being in his early 30s, lives with his mother in Greystone Park, bragging about how much he spends on clothes, cars, hotel rooms and on weekend outings.
He has drawn a following of no less than 56,000 as curious social network users gather to enjoy his eccentricities as he posts pictures of wads of cash and expensive cars, shedding light into his extravagant lifestyle.
His braggadocio knows no end.
He boasts about his shopping sprees in New York, his $200 000 monthly or is it weekly bills and the latest cars he has acquired, among many such other vanity displays.
The questions are many and varied and they need answers, yet 32-year-old, Sir Wicknell, as he fondly calls himself, was unavailable to answer some pf the burning questions that his social network followers and other curious Zimbabweans would want answered.
Not that he has an obligation to explain himself, but when you have so many Facebook followers and are a young millionaire - you become a celebrity, and thus of public interest.
For instance, what did Chivayo do that sent him to prison? Did he really buy Big Brother Africa flop Maneta Mazani a car and pay her university tuition for three years? Did he really give Miss Carnival Dananai Chipunza $50 000 or was it just a gimmick as some "haters" claim?
Could this young man just be an attention seeker who thrives on controversy?
In one recent post, Chivayo denigrates Zimbabwean women, describing them as "nothing less of whores and whisky drinkers who are only impressed with $1 000".
Agitated female followers hurl abuses in retaliation - but Chivayo takes it on the chin, he seems to thrive on controversy, ranging from being attacked for his being obese to accusations that he is gay.
The outspoken business-man-cum socialite often gives advice to the many poor among his Facebook flock who sometimes get so irritated by his condescending lectures and end up accusing him of being shallow and childish. But Chivayo is undeterred.
His bizarre conduct has led some to doubt that his riches could have come from business acumen with, many, having grown tired of his childish flamboyance, wondering when they will encounter Wicknell the businessman.
Attempts to speak to Sir Wicknell came to naught. The young businessman refused to speak to us on the phone, did not reply to our e-mails. When we did managed to get him on the phone he said he was busy for the next twenty days.
Many are curious about his derisive references to "Form Two drop-outs" and want to know what his take on education is. Does he have a degree? What did he study?
Others, though, are more concerned with the youthful businessman's security - they want to know where he draws the line as he publicly reveals his trips while also not making it a secret that he moves around with a lot of cash. Chivayo often posts pictures of high-profile business people he conducts meetings with.
His "life pictures" on the popular Sir Wicknell Facebook account seem to suggest a normal upbringing.
When did it all change? His other pictures on the same platform now show a flashy and obnoxious youth who seems to find comfort in the attention he gets from curious online strangers, good or bad.
Chivayo claims not to drink or smoke.
He quotes the scriptures regularly and says he goes to church. Details gathered by The Sunday Mail Leisure show that he is an adherent of an apostolic sect, venguwo chena. However, Chivayo is believed to run a thriving entertainment empire frequented by revellers and sometimes ladies of the night, something seemingly at odds with his professed faith.
He is close friends with Kenny Kunene, a South African entertainment magnet.
Officially, though, he is known as the managing director of Intratech Zimbabwe, a company with interests in transport and logistics, farming, petroleum and energy.
When can Zimbabwe meet Wicknell, the businessman? They have already met the socialite.
Wicknell Chivayo
ZIMBABWE'S richest youth, controversial businessman Wicknell Munodaani Chivayo is one lurid guy who cannot seem to shut his mouth about his wealth. He seems to enjoy the controversy he creates on the social network, Facebook and often makes a nuisance of himself boasting "I drive latest cars so I fit comfortably, the seats are easily adjustable" and "I shop only in America where I tell the shop assistant this T-shirt is way too big. They stock 10 sizes above me." Coining himself BIG or Sir Wicknell, his flamboyance has. left many speculating on the source of his fortunes. He owns several properties in Harare, drives the latest cars and often spends time overseas, especially in the United States where he buys expensive designer clothes, among other things. Love him or hate him it is pretty clear that the young tycoon not only has a taste of the high life, he can also afford it and seems to have made some influential friends along the way.
Genius Kadungure
Flamboyant businessman Genius "Ginimbi" Kadungure is popularly known for flaunting his wealth and splashing out on luxury. He is famed for hosting a lavish $17 000 birthday white party in Greystone Park. The birthday celebrations lasted three days. The first day was an all-white party, second day being a family-only affair and finally swimming on the last day. As if that is not enough, the young, urbane and rich Ginimbi broke yet another record, making it known that he has a penchant for layishness and extravagance. To celebrate his 28th birthday, the socialite flew 20 guests to Botswana in a party themed black and white. The party is said to have gobbled $32 000 in the plush suburb of Phakalane Gold Estate in Gaborone.
Frank Buyanga
Property mogul and alleged loan shark Frank Buyanga, during his prime, globe-trotted, wined and dined with heads of state across the continent. His business interests are vast and has been hosted by many international VIPS including Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema. The businessman was known for driving expensive state-of-the-art vehicles and living large. Currently, Buyanga owns a R3,2 million one bedroomed flat at the Towers in one of the leafy suburbs in South Africa where he is residing at the moment.
Philip Chiyangwa
Flamboyant businessman Philip "Uncle Phil" Chiyangwa is among the many flamboyant guys that Zimbabwe has ever given birth to. His meteoric rise from a barefoot and spike-haired vegetable vendor in the dusty streets of Chegutu to a flamboyant businessman, property developer and politician in Zimbabwe has never been understood by many. Uncle Phil is known to brag about his wealth and riches. In one of his interviews he was quoted as saying: "I have the money and I don't have a problem with money." He owns a fleet of Mercedes, Chrysler Cross Fire, Range Rover, Jeep, Ford Ranger and a Rolls Royce, among many other vehicles; 39 listed companies and over 100 residential stands and farms combined.
Energy Mutodi
Flamboyant businessman and musician Energy Mutodi lived what sounded like a dream - a multi-million-dollar home in Charlotte Brooke, nannies for his children, travelling on fast cars and extravagant dinners. Though his fortunes were short lived, Mutodi enjoyed a time of his life. It only took disgruntled home seekers besieging his offices to precipitate his downfall and his fortunes evaporated like dew on a hot May morning.
EVERYONE in Harare who has access to social media networks must be wondering: Who exactly is this Wicknell Chivayo? How did he make so much money? How is he connected to the important people he shows off? Is he a businessman, a socialite or both? As the young man continues to splash cash on expensive jewellery and luxury cars it is difficult not to wonder if this is not a case of money in the wrong hands?
Facebook users regularly wake up to outlandish posts by Chivayo who, despite being in his early 30s, lives with his mother in Greystone Park, bragging about how much he spends on clothes, cars, hotel rooms and on weekend outings.
He has drawn a following of no less than 56,000 as curious social network users gather to enjoy his eccentricities as he posts pictures of wads of cash and expensive cars, shedding light into his extravagant lifestyle.
His braggadocio knows no end.
He boasts about his shopping sprees in New York, his $200 000 monthly or is it weekly bills and the latest cars he has acquired, among many such other vanity displays.
The questions are many and varied and they need answers, yet 32-year-old, Sir Wicknell, as he fondly calls himself, was unavailable to answer some pf the burning questions that his social network followers and other curious Zimbabweans would want answered.
Not that he has an obligation to explain himself, but when you have so many Facebook followers and are a young millionaire - you become a celebrity, and thus of public interest.
For instance, what did Chivayo do that sent him to prison? Did he really buy Big Brother Africa flop Maneta Mazani a car and pay her university tuition for three years? Did he really give Miss Carnival Dananai Chipunza $50 000 or was it just a gimmick as some "haters" claim?
Could this young man just be an attention seeker who thrives on controversy?
In one recent post, Chivayo denigrates Zimbabwean women, describing them as "nothing less of whores and whisky drinkers who are only impressed with $1 000".
Agitated female followers hurl abuses in retaliation - but Chivayo takes it on the chin, he seems to thrive on controversy, ranging from being attacked for his being obese to accusations that he is gay.
The outspoken business-man-cum socialite often gives advice to the many poor among his Facebook flock who sometimes get so irritated by his condescending lectures and end up accusing him of being shallow and childish. But Chivayo is undeterred.
His bizarre conduct has led some to doubt that his riches could have come from business acumen with, many, having grown tired of his childish flamboyance, wondering when they will encounter Wicknell the businessman.
Attempts to speak to Sir Wicknell came to naught. The young businessman refused to speak to us on the phone, did not reply to our e-mails. When we did managed to get him on the phone he said he was busy for the next twenty days.
Many are curious about his derisive references to "Form Two drop-outs" and want to know what his take on education is. Does he have a degree? What did he study?
Others, though, are more concerned with the youthful businessman's security - they want to know where he draws the line as he publicly reveals his trips while also not making it a secret that he moves around with a lot of cash. Chivayo often posts pictures of high-profile business people he conducts meetings with.
His "life pictures" on the popular Sir Wicknell Facebook account seem to suggest a normal upbringing.
When did it all change? His other pictures on the same platform now show a flashy and obnoxious youth who seems to find comfort in the attention he gets from curious online strangers, good or bad.
Chivayo claims not to drink or smoke.
He quotes the scriptures regularly and says he goes to church. Details gathered by The Sunday Mail Leisure show that he is an adherent of an apostolic sect, venguwo chena. However, Chivayo is believed to run a thriving entertainment empire frequented by revellers and sometimes ladies of the night, something seemingly at odds with his professed faith.
He is close friends with Kenny Kunene, a South African entertainment magnet.
Officially, though, he is known as the managing director of Intratech Zimbabwe, a company with interests in transport and logistics, farming, petroleum and energy.
When can Zimbabwe meet Wicknell, the businessman? They have already met the socialite.
Wicknell Chivayo
ZIMBABWE'S richest youth, controversial businessman Wicknell Munodaani Chivayo is one lurid guy who cannot seem to shut his mouth about his wealth. He seems to enjoy the controversy he creates on the social network, Facebook and often makes a nuisance of himself boasting "I drive latest cars so I fit comfortably, the seats are easily adjustable" and "I shop only in America where I tell the shop assistant this T-shirt is way too big. They stock 10 sizes above me." Coining himself BIG or Sir Wicknell, his flamboyance has. left many speculating on the source of his fortunes. He owns several properties in Harare, drives the latest cars and often spends time overseas, especially in the United States where he buys expensive designer clothes, among other things. Love him or hate him it is pretty clear that the young tycoon not only has a taste of the high life, he can also afford it and seems to have made some influential friends along the way.
Genius Kadungure
Flamboyant businessman Genius "Ginimbi" Kadungure is popularly known for flaunting his wealth and splashing out on luxury. He is famed for hosting a lavish $17 000 birthday white party in Greystone Park. The birthday celebrations lasted three days. The first day was an all-white party, second day being a family-only affair and finally swimming on the last day. As if that is not enough, the young, urbane and rich Ginimbi broke yet another record, making it known that he has a penchant for layishness and extravagance. To celebrate his 28th birthday, the socialite flew 20 guests to Botswana in a party themed black and white. The party is said to have gobbled $32 000 in the plush suburb of Phakalane Gold Estate in Gaborone.
Frank Buyanga
Property mogul and alleged loan shark Frank Buyanga, during his prime, globe-trotted, wined and dined with heads of state across the continent. His business interests are vast and has been hosted by many international VIPS including Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema. The businessman was known for driving expensive state-of-the-art vehicles and living large. Currently, Buyanga owns a R3,2 million one bedroomed flat at the Towers in one of the leafy suburbs in South Africa where he is residing at the moment.
Philip Chiyangwa
Flamboyant businessman Philip "Uncle Phil" Chiyangwa is among the many flamboyant guys that Zimbabwe has ever given birth to. His meteoric rise from a barefoot and spike-haired vegetable vendor in the dusty streets of Chegutu to a flamboyant businessman, property developer and politician in Zimbabwe has never been understood by many. Uncle Phil is known to brag about his wealth and riches. In one of his interviews he was quoted as saying: "I have the money and I don't have a problem with money." He owns a fleet of Mercedes, Chrysler Cross Fire, Range Rover, Jeep, Ford Ranger and a Rolls Royce, among many other vehicles; 39 listed companies and over 100 residential stands and farms combined.
Energy Mutodi
Flamboyant businessman and musician Energy Mutodi lived what sounded like a dream - a multi-million-dollar home in Charlotte Brooke, nannies for his children, travelling on fast cars and extravagant dinners. Though his fortunes were short lived, Mutodi enjoyed a time of his life. It only took disgruntled home seekers besieging his offices to precipitate his downfall and his fortunes evaporated like dew on a hot May morning.
Source - zimpapers
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