Businessman and philanthropist Wicknel Chivhayo has pledged US$250,000 to the Joshua Nkomo Trust, in honour of the late Vice President and national liberation icon, Dr. Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo, affectionately known as Father Zimbabwe.
In a heartfelt tribute posted on social media to mark the 26th anniversary of Nkomo’s passing on 1 July 1999, Chivhayo described the late leader as a “fearless liberator, a voice for the oppressed, and a symbol of unity, hope and reconciliation.”
“Every year on July 1st, Zimbabwe solemnly remembers the illustrious life of this gallant son of the soil,” wrote Chivhayo. “This is a man who dedicated his entire life to our freedom… We honour this great son of the soil whose legacy laid the foundation of our beloved country.”
Chivhayo praised Nkomo’s role in the liberation struggle, post-independence nation-building, and efforts to bring peace through the 1987 Unity Accord. He also highlighted the late leader’s work in education, agriculture, and rural development, including the Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project.
To honour this legacy, Chivhayo announced his donation to the Joshua Nkomo Trust, chaired by Thandi Nkomo, the late national hero’s daughter.
“In recognition of his immense contribution… I wish to humbly extend US$250,000 to the Joshua Nkomo Trust as a small token of appreciation,” he said. “I will be most honoured by the acceptance of this gesture.”
He said the funds are intended to support the Trust’s initiatives in education, cultural preservation, and community welfare, reflecting Dr. Nkomo’s lifelong vision for an equitable and united Zimbabwe.
Chivhayo closed his message with a call for Zimbabweans to keep Nkomo’s legacy alive and uphold the values he stood for: peace, unity, and empowerment.
“May his dear soul continue to rest in eternal peace, and may his legacy live on through generations to come.”
