Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo has made headlines for gifting his children and 13 of their friends brand-new iPhone 18 Pro Max handsets. The announcement was made via Chivayo's Instagram Stories, where he shared a simple message confirming the gesture. "Congratulations to my kids and their 13 friends... iPhone 18 Pro Max," he wrote. This latest gesture fits into Chivayo's pattern of extravagant spending, which has become a signature of his.
Chivayo, born on 22 November 1982 in Chivhu, Zimbabwe, is the founder and managing director of Intratrek Zimbabwe Limited. He has built a reputation as one of Africa's most flamboyant spenders, with luxury cars, cash handouts, and gifts to prominent figures. His generosity, or extravagance, has become a topic of discussion, with some praising his gestures and others criticizing his displays of wealth.
Online reaction to Chivayo's gift was instant, with some praising the gesture as pure generosity and others rolling their eyes at yet another display of wealth. Chivayo, a close ally of President William Ruto and other African leaders, got exactly what he always seems to get: everyone talking about him. This is not Chivayo's only headline this month, as he has been making waves with his lavish gifts.
Just days earlier, Chivayo stunned Zimbabweans with a gift package for prominent lawyer Advocate Lewis Uriri SC. He publicly honoured Uriri with a glowing tribute and set aside a separate KSh 6,472,500 handbag allowance for Mrs Uriri. The gifts announced in that post added up to a staggering KSh 45,307,500. Chivayo praised Uriri's courage, commitment, and fearless advocacy in the courtroom.
Before gifting the iPhone 18 Pro Max, Chivayo had also gifted Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi a brand-new 2026 Rolls-Royce Culliman facelift, valued at roughly KSh 140 million. On top of that, he handed over KSh 32 million in cash, which he described as "petty cash" for fuel and personal expenses. These gifts have solidified Chivayo's reputation as a generous, if extravagant, businessman.
Chivayo's relationships with prominent African leaders have also been highlighted through his gifts. As a close ally of President William Ruto, he has also been known to visit Tanzania's president Samia Suluhu Hassan. His gifts have sparked discussions about his influence and connections with top leaders.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max gifts have sparked a mixed reaction, with some praising Chivayo's generosity and others questioning the extravagance. As Chivayo continues to make headlines with his lavish gifts, his reputation as a flamboyant spender remains solidified.
Key points
- Wicknell Chivayo gifts iPhone 18 Pro Max to his children and 13 friends.
- Chivayo has a reputation for extravagant spending and gifting luxury items.
- His relationships with prominent African leaders have been highlighted through his gifts.
