For years, rubble-rousing dealmaker Wicknell Chivayo (WC), has occupied a controversial but unavoidable place in Zimbabwe’s business and political conversation. He is praised by supporters as an aggressive dealmaker, and criticised by opponents who question the proximity of his businesses to political power. But in this interview — coming just a week after he again dominated headlines over his presence at President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s farm during a meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa — Chivayo argues he is not driven by political patronage, but by an ability to identify infrastructure gaps and execute large-scale projects in sectors many hesitate to tread. Speaking candidly to Zimbabwe Independent senior reporter Freeman Makopa (FM) about wealth, politics, scrutiny, religion, family and business, Chivayo insists governments across the region are drawn to entrepreneurs capable of delivering practical solutions. Below are excerpts from the interview:
FM: There are concerns that your relationships and proximity to power influence your success?
WC: Networks and relationships matter in business, but they do not replace capacity to deliver. I am never shy of the fact that I support Zanu PF and our First Secretary, the President — I am an unapologetic supporter. However, support for a government or affiliation to a political party should not automatically be the basis upon which business is conducted, nor should it influence the manner in which business is conducted. The fairest way to judge any businessman should not be by political association alone, but by his capacity to deliver any business opportunity that comes his way.
FM: Which sectors do your businesses operate in?
WC: My business interests are concentrated in renewable energy, infrastructure development, petroleum supply and freight logistics. The Intratrek Group is the main vehicle through which I pursue large-scale renewable energy and infrastructure opportunities in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania and Kenya, to name but a few.
FM: How do you explain the process of securing major contracts and large-scale opportunities in Zimbabwe?
WC: I cannot say it is a “straight-jacket” process as it depends on one’s line of business. From the perspective of my own experience, most major contracts are secured through identifying a national need. It is known that Zimbabwean roads had for long not been in a good state until the Second Republic, under the leadership of President ED Mnangagwa, implemented the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme. There was a national need. Similarly, it doesn’t require a rocket scientist to know that there is an acute power deficit in the country. Statistics will tell you that the current power supply is only 60% of national demand. That again is a national need because without adequate and reliable power, no economy thrives. In the Zimbabwe’s case, power is the anchor to achieve government’s Vision 2030 aspirations.
FM: Is that what informs your decisions?
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WC: Once a need is identified, we must offer a bankable or technically-credible solution, which complies with public procurement requirements, and offer what we believe will address the national need at any given time. I have deliberately pursued turnkey solutions and partnered with several governments and experienced international firms to provide tangible economic solutions. I must specifically mention my belief that prayer and faith have played a major role in my business journey, and that I regard wealth as a product of prayer, hard work and good investments. At times, no matter how brilliant the opportunities to invest and make money may be, I believe there is always a need for divine wisdom. You never go wrong if you are led by the spirit, especially in business and investment decisions.
FM: Can you walk us through your most significant deal?
WC: There are quite a number, although the public is mostly familiar with the Gwanda 100MW Solar Project through Intratrek Zimbabwe. This project was significant because of its scale, national importance, its value and the fact that it placed me at the centre of Zimbabwe’s energy infrastructure conversation, despite the unfortunate controversies which came with it. That project changed my life in two ways.
FM: How?
WC: Professionally, it elevated me from being seen as an “emerging” businessman into a recognised participant in major national infrastructure projects. Publicly, however, it brought intense scrutiny, criticism, litigation, politically-related controversies and media attention, which taught me to develop a thick skin and understand that major success in Zimbabwe often comes with major challenges. I am happy that the challenges are now behind us and execution of the project has resumed
FM: What do you consider as your turning point?
WC: The real foundation of my success can probably be summarised by four things — a difficult upbringing, my apostolic faith, learning from my experiences and the determination never to be permanently defined by poverty or failure. Life was rather unkind to me while I was still very young, as I unexpectedly lost my father in a car accident when I was only 10. It was a huge blow to the entire family. I was raised by my late beloved mother, Canisia Chivayo, whose sacrifices became the moral foundation of my life. She was the bedrock of my upbringing and, being the only boy in the family, circumstances forced me to mature quickly and understand responsibility from a young age.
FM: And you just broke the barriers and rose?
WC: My rise in business was caused by a combination of a hunger for success and the willingness to enter difficult sectors where others saw only risk. After leaving school early because of financial constraints, I worked as a wages clerk for a bus company and later became involved in various informal business activities, which gave me early practical exposure to money and survival. Those experiences gave me the courage to later pursue business interests in transport, logistics, petroleum supply and eventually large-scale energy infrastructure through Intratrek Zimbabwe. The decisive turning point in my life was certainly my spiritual transformation through Johane Masowe Chishanu, which has given me purpose and direction in my life to this very day.
FM: Tell us about your expansion plans.
WC: Expansion of my business portfolios has been based on identifying national and regional infrastructure gaps and partnering with governments in developing major capital projects in energy and infrastructure development.
FM: Would you broadly describe the scale of your business operations in terms of monthly revenue?
WC: What I can say is the nature of my business is capital intensive, particularly in the energy and infrastructure sectors. Therefore, the most accurate way to describe the scale is that my business operations have operated at a major infrastructure level, rather than an ordinary trading level. They involve multi-million-dollar contracts, long-cycle project development, technical partnerships and significant financial exposure. Any more specific turnover disclosure would be inappropriate because it may affect commercial confidentiality, ongoing negotiations, banking relationships and related contractual obligations.
FM: How do you manage the balance between wealth, public visibility and constant scrutiny?
WC: It’s never easy to manage because wealth normally attracts constant public scrutiny and criticism. You see, I am outspoken whether on social media or in person. I share my thoughts. I love to interact with people although nowadays everyone I encounter expects that I “leave something” for them. Some strangers even ask to “go and see Victor”. So, it becomes difficult, especially in Zimbabwe, to lead a normal public life because of the status and expectations. I once drove into the CBD to buy something. It took me almost an hour to leave the shop after crowds wanted to have a glimpse of me or just a selfie. It’s very humbling, but it also takes away the liberty I used to enjoy in Chitungwiza.
FM: So, how do you manage?
WC: I try to maintain the balance by focusing on work, prayer, family and philanthropy. I believe that giving back changes the meaning of wealth, transforms and uplifts communities.
FM: Do you believe religion played any role in shaping your mindset?
WC: I have no doubt in my mind that it has. After joining Johane Masowe Chishanu, I developed a renewed sense of purpose and began to interpret my life through prayer and divine providence.
FM: You have experienced public attention around your marriage.
WC: My personal life has generally attracted public attention and perhaps, to some extent, a good measure of controversy, especially around matters involving my former wife. The court of public opinion is however, the least of my worries. What I have remained committed to, even in the face of public scrutiny and fabrication of fictitious stories, is to be the best father to my two amazing children. I am happy the courts had to intervene to resolve what, as parents, we could have easily agreed on, but that chapter is behind us now. Personally, such experiences have taught me that public life requires emotional intelligence. I am however happy that I have now moved on and found myself an angel in my wife, who provides me with so much love and companionship.
FM: What lessons have you learned about trust?
WC: Well, obviously trust is something that everyone should handle carefully and with discretion, especially when one is a public figure. Family disputes and experiences, even painful ones, must not make a person bitter.
FM: Looking ahead, what is your long-term vision?
WC: My long-term vision is to continue expanding into sectors that have strategic value for Zimbabwe, the region and the African continent. The legacy I want to leave is not just of a wealthy man, but of a man whose life impacted and changed the fortunes of millions of people in Zimbabwe and across the world.
