THE final farewell to businessman and philanthropist Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, takes place today as family, friends, church members and thousands of mourners gather to witness their burial at Sahwira Glen Forest Memorial Park in Harare.
The couple’s remains are expected to arrive at the memorial park later today following yesterday’s emotional procession through Harare’s central business district, which drew huge crowds and brought parts of the city centre to a standstill.
Today’s proceedings mark the end of a highly publicised farewell to a couple whose lives, business interests and philanthropic activities left a significant mark on Zimbabwean society.
The atmosphere here is heavy with grief as relatives, friends and associates gather to bid farewell to the flamboyant businessman and his wife.
Mourners are seen consoling one another, with tears flowing as family members and close friends come to terms with the deaths. The sombre proceedings are punctuated by prayers, hymns and moments of silence as mourners pay their final respects.
Friends and associates have also gathered in large numbers, reflecting on Chivayo’s life, business career and philanthropic work.
Church members and other mourners continue to sing hymns and offer prayers, creating a solemn atmosphere as the funeral service progresses and the final farewell draws closer.
The Muteke family has paid tribute to Lucy Muteke and her husband, businessman Wicknell Chivayo, as family and friends gathered for their funeral service in Gletwyn.
Speaking at the funeral service, a representative of the Muteke family, Baba Muteke, thanked mourners for standing with the family during this difficult period.
“I just want to say thank you to all who have come to be with us today,” he said
“We are hurting, but we found comfort from our in-laws and the church for coming to be with us all the way.
“The way they died hurts, but we accept it and leave it to God to be our comforter. I also find comfort in the fact that my daughter had found God by the time of her death.”
Family representative only identified as Mother Rose described Lucy as a loving and caring daughter.
“Lucy was a child who was so dear to me, so loving and caring. We are hurting but we pray that God gives us strength to accept this,” she said.
Lucy’s brother, Gerald Muteke, thanked the Chivayo family for the close relationship the two families had maintained since Lucy and Wicknell got married.
“We thank the Chivayo family because we have been together since the two got married. We have been working cordially with our in-laws throughout the funeral process.
“Lucy was my baby sister, and we did almost everything together. It’s going to be difficult living without her.”
Lucy’s sisters Fungai and Vari also spoke emotionally about their loss, struggling to hold back tears as they remembered her.
Vari said she had taken on a mother-figure role in Lucy’s life and was deeply hurt by her death.
