The final journey of late Zimbabwean businessman Sir Wicknell Chivayo is shaping up to be as grand and closely watched as the life he lived, with reports that the flamboyant businessman could be laid to rest in a luxurious coffin valued at approximately US$217,000 — equivalent to nearly KSh 28 million.
According to reports surrounding the funeral arrangements, Chivayo is set to be buried in a Malaysian-made coffin crafted from 14-carat gold. The extraordinary coffin has become one of the most talked-about aspects of preparations to bid farewell to the businessman, whose extravagant lifestyle and public profile frequently attracted attention during his lifetime.
But despite the lavish preparations, Chivayo’s family is reportedly facing another important challenge before his burial can take place: ensuring that close relatives arrive so that they can collectively make crucial decisions about his final resting place.
Chivayo’s uncle, the youngest brother of his late father, has taken on a prominent role in coordinating the family arrangements and speaking publicly on behalf of the relatives.
He reportedly stressed that the family could not proceed with the burial without waiting for other members to arrive, emphasising the importance of allowing everyone to participate in the final farewell.
“We can’t do this without them, so we have to make sure that we respect them as well,” he said.
The family is reportedly hoping that at least half of the expected relatives will have arrived by Sunday, although the gathering of family members could affect the funeral timeline.
Several potential burial locations are currently being considered. They include Gandami, Rusha, Farm Number 513 and Glenforest. However, no final decision has reportedly been reached.
The family is expected to make the final determination once relatives have gathered and consultations have been completed.
The uncertainty over the burial location comes as the family and authorities continue dealing with the identification process following the devastating helicopter crash that claimed six lives in the Marondera area.
Chivayo died alongside his wife, Lucy, and four other occupants when the helicopter crashed, sending shockwaves across Zimbabwe.
The tragedy has attracted enormous public attention, particularly because of Chivayo’s high-profile lifestyle and his prominent position in Zimbabwean society. He was widely known for his business interests, philanthropy and connections with influential political figures.
His death has consequently generated an outpouring of grief, speculation and public interest, with many Zimbabweans following every development surrounding the funeral.
For his family, however, the days following the tragedy have been about much more than the public attention. They have been forced to make deeply painful decisions while waiting for relatives to arrive and for the necessary scientific identification procedures to be completed.
The identification process could further delay the burial, meaning the final farewell may take place later than initially anticipated.
As the family prepares to lay Chivayo to rest, attention remains focused on the eventual burial location, the arrival of relatives and the elaborate arrangements being made for a businessman whose life was marked by extraordinary wealth, controversy, generosity and a highly visible public image.
If the reported golden coffin is indeed used, Chivayo’s final send-off will be remembered as one of the most lavish funerals in recent Zimbabwean history — a fittingly extravagant farewell for a man whose lifestyle remained a subject of fascination throughout his life.
