Wicknell Chivhayo Donates $250,000 to Highlanders FC, Sparking Positive Fan Reactions

Current Highlanders FC squad

Football fans have generally welcomed the generous donation made by prominent businessman Wicknell Chivhayo to Highlanders Football Club (Bosso). The Bulawayo-based club, which is the oldest football team in Zimbabwe, is viewed by many in the Southern Region as a culturally significant institution, having nurtured numerous prominent footballers over the years.

Chivhayo made headlines recently with a major donation of US$250,000 to the club. This contribution forms part of a broader US$1 million sponsorship package set to be rolled out over the next year. The funds aim to strengthen the club’s administrative and technical capabilities ahead of the 2025 Premier Soccer League season.

Fans who took to social media to share their reactions praised the donation and emphasized that football should rise above political affiliations. Many noted that the ultimate beneficiaries are the players, their families, and the fans.

Chivhayo—affectionately known as Sir Wicknell—announced the donation via social media, expressing deep admiration for Highlanders FC. He described the club as a "phenomenal cultural icon" and "a symbol of heritage, pride, and unity" for both Bulawayo and Zimbabwe as a whole.

Founded in 1926 by the grandsons of King Lobengula, Albert and Rhodes Khumalo, Bosso has long enjoyed passionate support from its local community and beyond. The initial US$250,000 donation will cover administrative costs, while future disbursements will support player recruitment, sign-on fees, and efforts to build a more competitive squad for the coming season.

Football fans interviewed by Southerton Business Ties expressed cross-club support for the initiative. One fan from Mbare, a self-proclaimed Dynamos FC supporter, remarked:

“I stay here in Mbare and obviously I am a Dembare fan. But in soccer, what’s good for one team is also good for other clubs. Football is the beautiful game and yes, we support each other though we are rivals on the football pitch.”

Another fan emphasized the importance of player welfare and development:

“Football players should be well paid. It’s good for their families. I also think Bosso should use this money to nurture more young people into the game. That’s how international football develops—they groom young talent while supporting the ones already playing.”

Chivhayo also stressed the importance of private sector involvement in sports development, aligning the sponsorship with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030, which advocates for public-private partnerships to uplift Zimbabwe’s socio-economic landscape.