Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo has spent the past few months making headlines with a series of lavish gifts, handing out luxury vehicles, large cash amounts and expensive gadgets to people ranging from musicians and religious leaders to his own children and their friends.
The businessman has extended his latest gifting spree to his own children and their friends, buying brand-new iPhone 18 Pro Max handsets for his children and 13 of their friends.
Chivayo announced the latest gifts on his Instagram Stories, showing that his children were not the only ones to benefit from the gesture. He bought the newly released Apple handsets for a group of 14 children in total.
“Congratulations to my kids and their 13 friends… Iphone 18 pro max,” Chivayo wrote in the post announcing the gifts.
The timing of the purchase has also drawn attention because Apple only unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max on September 9, 2026, with the devices becoming available from September 18. The iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at US$1,299 in the United States, according to Apple.
The iPhones come as Chivayo continues a highly publicised run of expensive gifts to people in his personal, religious and entertainment circles.
Previously, Chivayos’ gifting involved prominent Zimbabwean lawyer Lewis Uriri, who rejected a gift package worth US$350,000 after Chivayo offered him a 2026 Range Rover Sport Autobiography and cash.
Uriri declined the vehicle and both cash gifts, saying accepting them could create a perception of personal financial obligation and compromise his professional independence. He said he and his wife had carefully considered the offer before deciding not to accept it.
The rejection brought fresh attention to Chivayo’s wider gifting spree, which has gathered pace since July.
One of the most notable gifts came in July when Chivayo celebrated musician Jah Prayzah’s 39th birthday. On July 4, Chivayo gave the musician a brand-new 2026 Ford Ranger Platinum together with US$250,000 in cash. The gift followed an earlier public hint from Chivayo that Jah Prayzah would receive a substantial birthday present. Jah Prayzah subsequently collected the vehicle and cash.
The businessman also made headlines during the same period after offering legendary musician Thomas Mapfumo US$1 million to perform at two events. Mapfumo, however, rejected the offer, saying he would not take Chivayo’s money.
Chivayo’s most expensive recent gifts have largely gone to prominent religious figures.
In September, he announced a birthday package for Prophet Uebert Angel that included US$250,000 in cash, which he jokingly described as “birthday lunch money”, and a new 2026 Rolls-Royce Ghost Facelift for Angel’s wife, Beverly.
Chivayo later said the package had been delivered, with Angel publicly thanking him for the gifts. Reports placed the combined value of the cash and vehicle in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Chivayo also announced a major birthday gift for Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi, leader of the Zion Christian Church. The package included a 2026 Rolls-Royce Cullinan Facelift and US$250,000 in cash. The vehicle was later handed to Mutendi at State House by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
On September 19, Chivayo announced a package for 12 workers at United Family International Church (UFIC).
Ten ushers are set to receive Toyota Fortuner 2.4 GD-6 vehicles and US$10,000 each for fuel, while two church leaders are set to receive 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser LC300 ZX vehicles and US$20,000 each for fuel.
Chivayo left the selection of the recipients to UFIC founders Emmanuel and Ruth Makandiwa. The vehicles had been paid for and were expected to reach the church within days, according to reports.
His latest gifts have also reached his immediate circle.
Earlier in September, Chivayo also gifted his therapist, Cathy, a Mercedes-Benz C200 and US$10,000 in cash.
The gift further expanded the range of people receiving his publicised presents, which now includes professionals, entertainers, religious leaders, church workers, family members and friends.
These gestures typically feature fleets of ultra-luxury vehicles bundled with massive cash handouts for personal expenses. To date, his giveaways total hundreds of vehicles and millions of dollars distributed across Zimbabwe’s political, religious, and entertainment elite.
