Jah Prayzah Postpones Wedding After Chivayo Death
By Southerton Business Times | Harare
Musician Jah Prayzah and his wife-to-be, Rufaro, have indefinitely postponed their wedding following the death of businessman Wicknell Chivayo and four others in a helicopter crash. The wedding, which had been scheduled for Saturday, October 3, in Glen Lorne, Harare, will no longer take place as planned.
Jah Prayzah, whose real name is Mukudzeyi Mukombe, announced the postponement on social media on Thursday, a day after Chivayo, his wife Lucy Rujeko Muteke, and three others died when their helicopter crashed at Kudenga Farm in Marondera. The musician said the decision was driven by the family's need to mourn and grieve following the sudden deaths.
“Pane nguva yekuti zvimwe zvinhu zvese zvinofanira kumbomira. Out of love, respect and the need to grieve with family, our wedding, which was scheduled for 3 October, has been postponed. We will continue with our wedding plans when the time is right.”
Jah Prayzah described Chivayo as more than a friend, saying the businessman had become part of the family and had supported the couple through different stages of their lives. “Wicknell was more than a friend to us. He was family, a brother, and someone who walked closely with us through many chapters of life,” he said. He also extended condolences to the families of the other victims. “Our hearts and prayers are also with every family that lost a loved one in this tragedy,” the musician said.
Chivayo's Role in the Wedding
Chivayo was reportedly a major benefactor of the wedding celebrations and had pledged significant financial support towards the event. The businessman had previously gifted Jah Prayzah a 2026 Ford Ranger Platinum and US$250,000 in cash for his birthday. He had also reportedly offered to pay US$500,000 for legendary musician Thomas Mapfumo to perform at the wedding.
The proposed performance formed part of a reported US$1 million arrangement for two shows Jah Prayzah's wedding and Chivayo's birthday celebration. With Chivayo's death, the wedding has now been put on hold indefinitely.
Chivayo Helicopter Crash
Chivayo, Muteke, and three others died on Wednesday evening, September 30, when their Bell 430 helicopter crashed at Kudenga Farm in Marondera Rural, Mashonaland East. Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Minister Tino Machakaire identified the victims as Chivayo, Muteke, her aide Senelisiwe Magagula, pilot Captain Kelvin T. Soda and co-pilot Captain Courage Mutavirwa.
The group had reportedly travelled from Gandami in Chikomba, where Chivayo and his wife had been visiting their rural home construction project. The helicopter crashed about 40 minutes after take-off. Police and aviation experts are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. Jah Prayzah said the couple would resume their wedding plans “when the time is right”.
Jah Prayzah wedding postponed
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