HARARE-;Zimbabwean businessman and philanthropist Wicknell Chivayo is set to receive a major continental accolade after being confirmed as the Young African Philanthropist of the Year at the 2026 African Leadership Magazine Persons of the Year Awards. The recognition will be formally conferred on 28 February 2026 in Accra, Ghana at a ceremony expected to draw heads of state, business leaders and civil society organisations from across the continent. Organisers said Chivayo’s selection was based on the scale and consistency of his philanthropic work over the past year, particularly in education and sport.
His most publicised initiative was a US$1 million donation to Dudley Hall Primary School which will fund infrastructure upgrades and support for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds. He is an alumni of the school where he attended with his sisters and lobbies for the name change of hostels in honour of President Mnangagwa and the First Lady. In local football, Chivayo provided financial support to several Premier Soccer League clubs and assistited with operational expenses and rewarding top performing players and interventions credited with easing financial pressures and boosting morale within teams.
Development analysts say the continental honour signals growing recognition of Zimbabwe’s role in humanitarian and social impact initiatives. The award is also being viewed as a boost to the country’s visibility in continental leadership and development circles. Chivayo is expected to attend the Accra ceremony where Zimbabwe will be represented as one of the countries acknowledged for producing young leaders driving philanthropy across Africa.
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