Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo shared his final public message on Facebook just a day before news of his death broke. The post, which was tagged at a religious site, Johane Masowe Yenguwo Chena, gathered over 21,000 likes before the tragedy came to light. The caption read simply: "THE BIGGER PREACHER... 🙏🙏🙏". This image of him at a place of worship took on a weight that nobody had anticipated, especially after his death in a helicopter crash near Marondera.
Wicknell Chivayo was one of Zimbabwe's most recognisable and polarising public figures, celebrated by many for his conspicuous generosity and criticised by others for his controversial business dealings. He maintained a large and engaged following on Facebook, where his verified account under the handle `sir_wickknell` served as a window into his world, blending glimpses of a lavish lifestyle with expressions of faith. His posts routinely drew thousands of reactions, and his direct engagement with both admirers and detractors made him a fixture of Zimbabwean social media.
The helicopter crash occurred near Marondera, and according to reports, both Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, lost their lives. The details surrounding other passengers and the full circumstances of the accident continued to emerge in the days following. The crash happened at Kudenga Farm in Marondera rural, and all six passengers on board perished. The group had left Gandami in Chikomba District, where Chivayo and Muteke had been supervising construction work on their rural home.
Once word of the tragedy spread, the comments beneath his last post shifted in tone entirely. Followers and admirers flooded the comments with tributes and messages of condolences. User lulumuteke left a crown emoji that gathered 67 likes and 33 replies. User pharo.000 wrote: "CHIBABEST TO THE LAST 🙌," a comment many read as an unintentional farewell.
The image of Chivayo positioning himself as a preacher at a site of worship, on what turned out to be his final day of public activity, struck followers as an eerily fitting final note from a man whose public persona had always carried equal measures of spectacle and sincerity. This has led to fresh questions and reflections on his life and legacy, especially given his large and engaged following on social media.
Chivayo's death was not entirely unexpected by some, as an old post from 2025 had resurfaced predicting his demise. However, the circumstances and timing of his actual death have still come as a shock to many. The Zimbabwean Minister, Tino Machakaire, later identified the victims of the helicopter crash, including Chivayo and his wife.
The final post and the circumstances of Wicknell Chivayo's death have sparked a significant reaction online, with many followers and admirers paying tribute to his memory. The incident has also raised questions about the safety and circumstances of the helicopter crash, which will likely be subject to further investigation and scrutiny in the days to come.
Key points
- Wicknell Chivayo's final Facebook post before his death has resurfaced, sparking fresh questions and tributes from his followers.
- The helicopter crash near Marondera resulted in the deaths of all six passengers on board, including Chivayo and his wife.
- Chivayo was a polarising public figure in Zimbabwe, known for his conspicuous generosity and controversial business dealings.
