By Cde Sikhosana Bambazonke
Zimbabwe’s very own tender mogul, Wicknell “Chigananda” Chivayo, has swooped in to rescue Highlanders FC from their latest financial bind, all while continuing his unrivaled spree of philanthropic gestures.
The football club, which was recently banned by FIFA for not paying US$27,000 to former coach Baltemar Brito and his assistant Antonio Joao Torres, now has a new savior: Chivayo himself.
In what seems like a seamless transition from lavish car giveaways to tackling international debt, Chivayo has decided that helping a football club is the real way to solidify his status as the continent’s foremost benefactor of questionable means.
After all, he didn’t get to where he is today by simply donating to celebrity pastors and buying himself another luxury SUV. No, this time, he’s taking his talents to the football pitch.
Upon hearing the news of the Highlanders’ predicament, Chivayo, who is notoriously known for his deep pockets and deeper social media posts, immediately took to X (formerly Twitter) to assure the distressed club and its fans that he would personally pay off the debt, and possibly even throw in a new car for each player.
“Bosso ngenkani! Iteam yezwe lonke. Babethi ayibulawe, ayisoze ibulawe sikhona,” he wrote, which some parts are loosely translate: “Don’t worry, I’ll get this club back on its feet faster than you can say ‘luxury SUV giveaway.’”
He even offered to pay the debt directly to the former coaches as early as Monday.
Yes, the very same Monday when most of us are just hoping to get through the workday without witnessing running battles between vendors and council workers.
Now, you might be wondering, why on earth would a man with millions in government tenders care about Highlanders?
Simple: Chivayo knows that nothing says “I’ve made it” quite like bailing out a football club on the brink of disaster.
It’s not enough to just donate US$11 million worth of cars to celebrities or church leaders.
What better way to prove your vast influence than to step in when a football team is on the verge of extinction due to a debt that does not equate to 1% of Chivayo’s recent US$100 million tender with the Ministry of ICT?
It turns out Chivayo’s sense of timing is impeccable.
With the new Premier Soccer League season right around the corner and Highlanders at risk of losing their best players, the club’s SOS was loud and clear.
Chivayo, who has generously helped clubs like Dynamos, Scottland FC, and even the national team, wasted no time in making his move.
After all, when you’re the man who has secured nearly half a billion USD in government tenders in Zimbabwe alone, what’s a little debt to a few disgruntled football coaches?
In fact, Chivayo’s prior acts of kindness are truly something to behold.
Not only did he settle Highlanders’ US$4,000 fine in 2017, a sum we can only assume was paid with the same flair as his luxury vehicle giveaways, but he’s also been the undisputed champion of making sure Zimbabwe’s celebrities never have to worry about the latest model of car they’re driving.
With this most recent act, Chivayo has undoubtedly raised the bar for how a businessman can impact football – not by making clubs richer, but by literally giving them the ability to register new players.
In short, if you ever need a lifeline, just send an SOS to Wicknell Chivayo.
Not only will he respond, but he might even send you a Range Rover or two while he’s at it.
Forget government corruption and controversies, this is a man who knows how to make his money work for the greater good, or at least, for his public image.
Soon, FIFA will give Highlanders the green light to sign new players.
One thing is clear: Wicknell Chivayo is the hero this club never knew it needed – a luxury car king with a penchant for bailing out football teams.
Onward, to the next tender… or perhaps a fleet of football club cars.
