Chivayo Donates US$1 Million To Former School

Businessman Wicknell Chivayo has donated US$1 million in cash to his former school, Dudley Hall Primary School in Norton.

The donation follows a request from the school on 16 September 2025, seeking financial support for the construction of a hostel for border learners and the purchase of a school bus.

Chivayo, who attended Dudley Hall Primary and was in Grade 7 in 1992 at the school, said the US$1 million is available to build two new hostels, on the condition that they are named Emmerson Dambudzo House and Auxillia House.

He announced the donation on his social media pages this Wednesday. Wrote Chivayo:

“If I remember well, I lived in Cornell up to grade 4 and then Oxford up to grade 7 while my sisters were in Anson.

“We should be discouraged from using such meaningless names that have no bearing on our important history and revolutionary values.”

Chivayo said that while the school is free to issue a quick tender to ensure value for money, he recommended RADX Construction, represented by Paul Miller, to build Auxillia House, and Frost and Tulip Construction, represented by Tinashe Honde, to construct Emmerson House. He also suggested Studio 5 Architects for all architectural work. He wrote:

“The 1 million USD will be sent to any trust account of your choice amongst these three top reputable lawyers DUBE, MANIKAI & HWACHA, KANTOR & IMMERMAN or GILL GODLONTON & GERRANS.

“They will keep the money in trust and disburse it as the construction progresses.

“An extra 50 thousand USD will be paid to the law firm for their role and management of the disbursement.

“The money will be transferred within 7 days after receiving a written confirmation that all my conditions have been accepted and construction can commence without any further delays.”

In celebration of his 45th birthday on Saturday, 23 November, Chivayo announced the donation of a bus to Dudley Hall Primary School.

Today, he said the bus can be collected on Sunday, 14 December, at the Johane Masowe Gwanzura branch at Madzibaba Moses.

He stipulated that the driver and anyone collecting the bus must wear a white T-shirt and khaki shorts, and if a woman is present, she should wear a white dress with a white dhuku (headscarf).

Related:

Makandiwa Parades US$1 Million On The Altar As Congregation Cheers And Whistles ZANU PF Youth League Slams Chivayo Over US$3.6 Million “Donation”