A photograph of a brand-new Toyota Land Cruiser. A Mercedes-Benz with a giant bow on its bonnet. Bundles of US dollar notes stacked on a church altar. A social-media announcement telling a musician or pastor to go to a Harare car dealership and collect a vehicle that has already been paid for. That was the world of Wicknell Chivayo, popularly known as “Sir Wicknell”.
The Zimbabwean businessman, who died on Wednesday in a helicopter crash that claimed six lives, including his wife, built a high-profile public persona around wealth, political connections and conspicuous philanthropy, becoming known for handing out luxury cars and large cash gifts to public figures.
