For the first time since their father’s death, the children of businessman Wicknell Chivayo have been seen in public. They turned up at the family residence in Gletwin, Harare, where they are grieving beside their mother, Sonja Madzikanda, who was previously married to him. ZBC News carried the report.
A steady stream of relatives, friends and supporters has been calling at the house to pay respects. Chivayo was killed on 30 September when a private helicopter went down near Marondera, east of the capital. His wife, Lucy Muteke, and four other people on board also lost their lives.
The tragedy has stunned Zimbabweans and people across the region, and the sight of the children standing together with their mother stood out as a particularly touching moment.
Sonja had already been seen in public once before, when she came to the home with her own mother. Her visit and the children’s arrival have drawn an outpouring of sympathy, and many people online have urged the family to stay strong.
Chivayo was widely recognised for his extravagant lifestyle and high-stakes business ventures. He is being remembered in Zimbabwe and in Kenya, where he counted President William Ruto as a friend.
Online tributes keep multiplying, and his Instagram page has attracted a wave of new followers leaving messages of remembrance.
According to reports, the helicopter left Gandami in Chikomba district, the area where he was raised. About 40 minutes into the flight it came down at Kudenga Farm, outside Marondera. Aviation officials have opened an investigation into what happened.
Meanwhile, the family is said to be waiting for relatives to arrive from abroad before fixing a date for the burial. Mourners are expected to keep visiting the Gletwin home in the meantime.
The loss is a deeply personal one for his children, and they are having to face it in full view of the public. Many across Zimbabwe hope they will be given comfort and space to grieve.