BUSINESSMAN Wicknell Chivayo says he met King Mswati III of Eswatini in Cape Town where he pledged an average investment of R3 billion in the kingdom, with a focus on solar energy development.
In posts on X, Chivayo said the private luncheon took place at the Twelve Apostles Hotel, where he and the monarch discussed investment opportunities and the role of the private sector in driving Eswatini’s economy.
Chivayo said King Mswati III expressed confidence that private capital would help accelerate socio-economic development in the kingdom.
He said he informed the King that preparations were already underway for a large-scale solar project and indicated that he expected the monarch to preside over a groundbreaking ceremony “in the coming months”. He described the proposed project as an example of collaboration between government and private investors.
Chivayo also said he invited King Mswati III to visit his property in Cape Town and revealed plans to acquire a second home in Mbabane. He thanked Prince Lindani for facilitating the meeting.
In the same posts, Chivayo referred to himself as “Prince Wicknell” and said he was proud to be an Eswatini citizen and holder of a diplomatic passport.
The Eswatini government and the King’s office had not confirmed the meeting or the investment pledge at the time of publication. The Ministry of Home Affairs also did not respond to questions regarding Chivayo’s citizenship status or diplomatic passport.
Chivayo also used the posts to praise President Emmerson Mnangagwa, saying the “Open for Business” policy had enabled Zimbabwean entrepreneurs to expand regionally. He expressed support for Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3.
Chivayo was convicted of fraud in Zimbabwe in 2004 and has previously faced scrutiny over state-linked contracts, including the cancelled Gwanda Solar Project.
