HARARE – Businessman Wicknell Chivayo stole the spotlight at the Angel of Hope Foundation’s annual Christmas Fundraising Dinner on Friday night after purchasing President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s trademark scarf for a staggering US$600,000.
The high-profile auction, held at State House, briefly turned theatrical when President Mnangagwa removed the scarf from his shoulders and handed it to Chivayo, drawing loud applause as he joked about a “peaceful transfer of power.” Moments later, an aide swiftly supplied the president with a replacement scarf.
The record bid capped a week of headline-making generosity from Chivayo, coming just two days after he pledged US$1 million to his former primary school, Dudley Hall in Norton, for the construction of two new dormitories to be named in honour of the president and first lady.
Angel of Hope Foundation, led by First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, became the latest beneficiary of Chivayo’s deep-pocketed philanthropy.
Inside the ballroom, filled with prominent business figures, bidding for the scarf started modestly before intensifying. Gold miner FS Mining appeared poised to secure the item at US$250,000 until Chivayo joined the contest. His offer of US$450,000 seemed set to prevail until Collins Mnangagwa, the president’s twin son, playfully pushed the bid to US$500,000.
Chivayo responded with a decisive US$600,000, ending the contest and sealing one of the most expensive charity auction bids seen in Zimbabwe.
While the businessman continues to bolster his public profile with acts of lavish giving, questions over the origins of his wealth — much of it acquired through state-linked contracts — remain a subject of public scrutiny.
