Chivayo’s Rise in ZANU-PF: Philanthropy or Power Play?

Wicknell Chivayo in office (image source)

To his supporters, Wicknell Chivayo is a generous benefactor — a businessman who donates cars, buses, and cash to struggling communities. To his critics, he is a mbinga — a flamboyant power broker using philanthropy as a political ladder. As Zimbabwe edges toward the 2028 elections, Chivayo’s growing profile in ZANU-PF’s succession battles is turning heads. Analysts warn his meteoric rise mirrors the earlier saga of fuel tycoon Kudakwashe Tagwirei, whose fortune and political influence stirred factional rifts.

A Netflix-Ready Character

Political analyst Tichaona Zindoga captured the mood bluntly:“He’s a Netflix-ready charismatic character — a rags-to-riches figure who knows how to win hearts through spectacle.”

Born in poverty, Chivayo now flaunts Lamborghinis, designer suits, and social media bravado. Yet it is his strategic philanthropy — gifting buses to schools, funding churches, sponsoring musicians — that has cemented his grassroots influence.

A Divide Within ZANU-PF

Chivayo’s rise unsettles Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who has reportedly branded him a state contract profiteer. Chiwenga’s allies argue that businessmen-turned-politicians distort governance and entrench patronage. But insiders say President Emmerson Mnangagwa views Chivayo as a loyalist capable of galvanizing youth, churches, and informal traders — key constituencies in Zimbabwe’s fractured politics.

The Church, the Stage, and Starlink

Unlike traditional tycoons, Chivayo has cultivated influence through Pentecostal churches and entertainers. Gospel singers, pastors, and dancehall stars openly thank him for patronage, with viral clips multiplying his political capital. He has also championed Starlink satellite internet, presenting himself as a tech-savvy benefactor for rural areas starved of connectivity.

Power Play or Genuine Philanthropy?

Critics argue Chivayo’s generosity masks deeper ambitions. His recent post on X —“I will neither be moved nor shaken by veiled threats from failed politicians.”— was widely interpreted as a jab at Vice President Chiwenga.

Civil society leaders fear such spats risk destabilising governance. “The state cannot be reduced to a playground for tycoons,” said activist Fadzayi Mahere.

The 2028 Question

As Zimbabwe inches closer to 2028, factional rivalries are sharpening. Whether Chivayo remains Mnangagwa’s protégé or emerges as a disruptive challenger depends on how ZANU-PF manages succession politics. For now, he straddles the line between philanthropist and power player, embodying both hope and fear. To some, his rise represents opportunity; to others, it’s a ticking time bomb.

As one Harare vendor put it after receiving a free bus ride donated by Chivayo:“He feeds us today. But what will he ask for tomorrow?”