Wicknell Chivayo, a prominent Zimbabwean businessman, had built a grand black granite memorial for his late mother, Canisia, at Glen Forest Cemetery in Harare. The memorial features a striking black granite structure with a permanent canopy supported by pillars, a multi-tiered base, and an arched headstone. A silver metal railing lines the top of the canopy, giving the structure a residential architectural quality. The memorial also includes a large, polished grey granite bench for visitors to sit and reflect.
Canisia Chivayo passed away in 2021, and her son's tribute to her has become one of the most distinctive at Glen Forest Cemetery. The memorial is kept in immaculate condition, with dense arrangements of white and yellow flowers framing the structure. Photos and videos of the memorial circulated widely, with many suggesting the cost of construction could rival that of a home in a high-density suburb. This sparked comparisons to the cost of building a house in a high-density suburb.
Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy "Lulu" Muteke, died in a helicopter crash on September 30, 2026, while returning to Harare from their rural home in Gandami, Chikomba. The aircraft came down at Kudenga Farm in the Marondera Rural area, east of Harare, at approximately 5 pm. Six people were on board, including the couple and two pilots, and there were no survivors. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
Family spokesperson Herbert Chivayo confirmed that DNA testing was required to identify the remains following the severity of the crash. Given the condition of the remains, the family announced there would be no body viewing ahead of the burial. Wicknell and Lucy are set to be buried together at Glen Forest Cemetery on October 8, at 2 pm. The family confirmed the burial will be open to the public, welcoming friends, relatives, and members of the public to attend the couple's final farewell.
On the evening of Wednesday, October 7, the bodies are expected to lie at the family home as loved ones gather to pay their respects. The family has invited the public to attend the couple's final farewell at Glen Forest Cemetery. Wicknell Chivayo's death has sparked an outpouring of tributes, with many remembering him as a flamboyant businessman and devoted family man.
The memorial built for Canisia Chivayo has taken on a new significance following Wicknell's sudden death. The structure has become a symbol of the prominent place she held in her son's life. The family's decision to bury Wicknell and Lucy at the same cemetery where Canisia is buried will likely draw more attention to the memorial.
Wicknell Chivayo's legacy, including his business ventures and philanthropic efforts, will likely be remembered for years to come. His death, along with his wife's, has left a void in the lives of those who knew them. The couple's burial at Glen Forest Cemetery will provide an opportunity for friends, relatives, and members of the public to pay their respects.
Key points
- Wicknell Chivayo built a grand black granite memorial for his late mother, Canisia, at Glen Forest Cemetery in Harare.
- Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy, died in a helicopter crash on September 30, 2026.
- Wicknell and Lucy Chivayo will be buried together at Glen Forest Cemetery on October 8, 2026.
