By Sharon Muguwu
HARARE – Colourful businessman Phillip Chiyangwa says he is a serial guest of honour at album and DVD launches because “he is Zimbabwe’s biggest philanthropist.”
Chiyangwa made the claim after being invited yet again by Vabvuwi Masimba Edenga Gospel Group to grace their album and DVD launch on Saturday at Monomotapa Crowne Plaza Hotel.
“They are inviting me because the last time they launched an album, I gave them 14 stands.
“Each one of their members got a stand in Stoneridge,” said the showy businessman.
“The thing with me is that I am impulsive. I don’t even plan it; anything can happen. So what I can say is that come Saturday, a miracle might happen.”
The former music and boxing promoter told the Daily News that his acts of charity are like miracles that happen when they are least expected.
“Prophets such as Emmanuel Makandiwa and Walter Magaya never promise that there will be miracles at their services, they just happen.
“It is the same with me. By just meeting me you never know a miracle might happen. I know how important it is to own a house, especially in Harare,” he said.
The boastful Chiyangwa added that his track record shows that he is a better philanthropist than the government and city councils.
“I am by far the biggest philanthropist when it comes to land in the country. Even the government and the city councils have never given out stands like I do. “If you calculate the value of the 14 stands I gave the group at $12 000 per stand, you will come up with $168 000 and that is for one group only.
“I also gave 14 stands to members of the public who attended a Zimpraise DVD launch.
“Because I am one of the biggest donors, I am always invited. When I don’t have other commitments I try to attend.”
Supa Takaodza, the Vabvuwi Masimba Edenga Gospel Group secretary, confirmed that his group benefitted from Chiyangwa’s generosity.
“It is true he gave us 14 stands in 2010. Seven of us are already living in houses developed on stands donated by Chiyangwa.
“We have invited him again because he helped us and you never know with him, anything can happen again,” he said.
Takaodza is convinced the album they will launch at the weekend will be their best to date.
“This will be our seventh album and it is titled Ebenezzer. Plug tracks on the 12-track album include Mwari Baba, Mune Nyasha Huru, Mbiri Kunashe, Tiriparwendo and Padyo Nemuchinjiko. Daily News
