Wicknell Chivayo gifts 30 families Ksh6.5M each to mark President Mnangagwa’s birthday
By Paulette Mboga, September 15, 2026Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo has announced a Ksh6.5 million gift each to 30 families of fallen national heroes as he marks President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s 84th birthday.
Chivayo said he decided to honour the families as a special way of celebrating Mnangagwa, whom he described as his beloved father. He said the gesture was meant to recognise the men and women whose sacrifice helped deliver the Zimbabwe that exists today.
“Today I join millions of Zimbabweans in wishing our PRESIDENT and my beloved FATHER, HIS EXCELLENCY CDE DR. EMMERSON DAMBUDZO MNANGAGWA, a very HAPPY and BLESSED 84TH BIRTHDAY,” Chivayo said on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
He explained that he had spent time thinking about how to celebrate the president’s birthday in a special and meaningful way. Chivayo said he concluded that the best gift would not necessarily be something for Mnangagwa personally, but something that honoured the families of fallen national heroes.
“I know and have personally witnessed your ENDLESS LOVE, RESPECT and REVERENCE for our FALLEN NATIONAL HEROES and the liberation history of our country,” Chivayo said.
Honouring fallen national heroes
Chivayo announced that he would donate Ksh6.5 million, which is US$50,000, to each of 30 families of fallen national heroes. He then asked Mnangagwa to allow him to add 10 more families to the donation.
The additional families include those of the late Vice President John Landa Nkomo, Air Chief Marshal Josiah Tungamirai, Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo and Sekuru Fox Sheba Gava. He also listed the families of Vice President Joshua Nkomo, Vice President Simon Muzenda, VP Msika and General Rex Nhongo.
Chivayo further named Cde Tshinga Dube and Air Chief Marshal Perence Shiri among the families he wanted to include. He described Perence Shiri as his beloved home boy while explaining that the other families would be identified and verified.
“With your indulgence, please allow me, Your Excellency, to personally add 10 MORE FAMILIES, beginning with names particularly close to my heart,” Chivayo said.
The addition of the 10 families will bring the number of beneficiaries to 40 families of fallen national heroes. Chivayo said each family will receive US$50,000 as part of the birthday donation.
“That will bring the final number to 40 FAMILIES OF FALLEN NATIONAL HEROES, each receiving US$50,000, making my total birthday donation for you US$2 MILLION (about Ksh260M),” Chivayo said.
This comes days after Zimbabwe’s president declared that his birthday would be gazetted a national public holiday in the country.