Chimurenga music legend Thomas “Mukanya” Mapfumo has agreed to perform two concerts in Zimbabwe funded by Wicknell Chivayo for a total of US$1 million, at US$500,000 per show.
The performances are for musician Jah Prayzah’s wedding and for Chivayo’s birthday celebration.
Chivayo first revealed the offer early this month when he announced gifts for Jah Prayzah on his 39th birthday. He gave Jah Prayzah US$250,000 in cash and a brand new 2026 Ford Ranger Platinum.
As part of the wedding gifts, Chivayo also offered to pay Mapfumo US$500,000 to perform at the wedding.
“If, for whatever reason, that performance does not happen, I will still gladly invite him to perform for my family and me in my own backyard on my birthday and pay him 1 million USD,” Chivayo wrote on social media at the time.
He said it would be an honour for the Chimurenga icon “to finally retire from music as a millionaire, and perform his last bira in style.”
In 2024, Mapfumo rejected a US$500,000 package of gifts from Chivayo that included a house, a car and cash. At the time, he said his conscience would not allow him to accept what he considered to be “dirty money”.
Mapfumo has now accepted the new offer, saying the US$1 million is not a gift but payment for his services.
In a video shared by Chivayo on social media on Monday, 13 July, Mapfumo said the money was compensation for work through the two performances.
Announcing the deal, Chivayo said he would wholeheartedly honour his commitment.
“I am pleased to announce that I will wholeheartedly honour my commitment by paying a record-breaking US$1 million for these two shows at US$500,000 per show. This will make the legendary Thomas Tafirenyika Mapfumo the highest-paid singer ever in the history of our beloved country,” he said.
Chivayo congratulated Mapfumo for making the decision “consciously and independently” and thanked him for his contribution to Zimbabwe’s music industry and for the inspiration his music provided during the liberation struggle.
“Your music has educated, inspired, united and comforted generations of Zimbabweans, and your legacy will continue to live on for many years to come,” he said.
Chivayo also said once his house in Gandami is complete towards the end of November or by mid-December, he will host Mapfumo at his Kugara Huda Estate in Wilshire for housewarming celebrations.
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