A fortnight ago, I was very thirsty, but I was sobered quickly by death.
On 30 September, I paced up to my drinking hole with a solid plan. I was to sit on the bar counter and troll Christiano Ronaldo fans while dutifully the hissing froth, but my usual sundowners took an unexpected turn.
News of Christiano Ronaldo’s protest against the Portugal National Team camp following a fallout with his coach had just reached my ears.
Ronaldo was said to have walked out claiming his coach and teammates had betrayed and not respecting him.
I had a clear plan for the night, picture this, a beer in hand, seated 8,328 from Copenhagen and trolling all Christiano Ronaldo’s fans.
It was to be a great drink up, but little did I know, just 76 kilometres away, a helicopter would take rouble rousing fall leading the nation in to mourning.
News started filtering, a steel bird had fallen signalling the end one businessman. It was soon confirmed, just as Christiano walked tapped out as did Philanthropist and businessman, Wicknell Chivayo albeit in a violent manner.
Wicknell Chivayo was announced dead, together with four other lives -dust to dust, soul to the creator. The announcement quicky turned regular imbibers into analysts- opinions were shared on aviation, staged deaths, inheritance and funeral arrangements. Interesting submissions rose from the shadows of beer bottles and the depth of wise waters wisdom.
I followed the debate just as I answered to my thirst and soon, the froth whispered, a loud whisper that couldn’t be drowned by more booze….Is there a curse of death that follows Zimbabwe’s young millionaires, the froth quizzed.
Chivayo’s demise is unfortunate. The man had built a highly polarising larger than life persona that seemed untouchable. His death is a reminder that death equates us all. It’s sad that some innocent soul is left without a father, a brother and so many relations that Chivayo enjoyed.
The froth continued to whisper, this is the same fate that rich, famous and flamboyant Peter Pamire met, the same familiar tale of Genius Kadungure now , Wicknell Chivayo- all classic examples of flamboyance, fortune and violent fatalities.
The names I have mentioned above are flagships of young success. Middle life characters that dared and made a name for themselves before they died early, all in violent ways.
Peter Pamire, a millionaire at 28 rose to prominence in the early 90’s, his life, short and intense was decorated with flamboyance, grandstanding and luxury.
Pamire rose to fame at the back of the black empowerment program and served as vice president of the Affirmative Action Group. Pamire rose to fame and along the way got political proximity. Like Chivayo, Pamire walked a fine line between business and power. He was also central to fundraising programmes for the ruling party.
Pamire died in a road accident in March 1997 when his Mitsubishi Pajero overturned several times before hitting a tree following a reported brake failure. Many dismissed the break failure report, citing sabotage. Back then street rumours suggested that engineers from Mitsubishi declared a Pajero is designed never to overturn but well, that was never confirmed and still stays bar talk. May His Soul Continue to Rest in Peace.
Pamire’s traceable business was a bus company named Pams Express that also died with him. He was 35 at the time of his death.
Then came Ginimbi, born Genius Kadungure, a man who hailed from Domboshava to the streets of glitz, glam, flamboyance and fancy toys. Genius lived a full life that was decorated with all white parties, travel and spending.
Like Chivayo, Ginimbi had a huge social media presence and was also not shy to show the receipts of his expensive lifestyle. He quickly became a symbol of the Zimbabwean hustle culture and with such a stature, political proximity slowly followed.
Ginimbi was a celebrity, businessman and philanthropist with interests in gas distribution, night life and events management. He lived a fast, loudly and unapologetic life and on 8 November 2022, Ginimbi’s Rolls Royce Wraith collided head on with a Honda Fit before veering off the road and catching fire killing four people. Ginimbi dies on his way home from a night out.
Ginimbi’s famed business also disappeared as he was buried.
If ever flamboyance, philanthropy, political proximity, loud and unapologetically rich was ever displayed, then Wicknell Chivayo takes the crown.
The self-proclaimed ‘Mukuru weMazuva’ has long been touted as one of that fast-rising millionaires in Zimbabwe but since 2024, Chivayo has had the country spellbound, displaying riches like no one else.
Chivayo will be remembered for giving away cars like sweets and is reported to have spent more than 20 million on gifts. He had slowly made a reputation of gifting a car almost every Friday.
Just like Pamire and Ginimbi, Chivayo lived a lavish life. He however scored more when it came to political proximity. Chivayo dined with most Presidents in Africa.
The froth whispered again, why does it seem like there is an unfortunate trait that kills young promising millionaires in Zimbabwe. Is it that they live to fast and furious or maybe they make so many enemies along the way?
Is this a curse of limitation that takes such promising beings just when there are about to flourish?
Are they getting too close to the seat of power that they become reckless or maybe, they just live an ignorant, arrogant, reckless life and forget money can’t buy life?
The froth whispered but couldn’t find an answer, maybe when we drink more, we will get answers.
The glitz had turned gloom. The lights are off; the stage has been left empty. Maybe another class will rise but for now, May the Souls of Peter Pamire, Genius Kadungure and Wicknell Chivayo Rest in Peace.
As I take the last gulp, remember, these are just nuggets of drunken wisdom- If you disagree, I urge you to drink first.
Happy Drinking!
