BULAWAYO – Highlanders’ centenary celebrations this year will be marked by the arrival of a new $285,000, 75-seater team bus, a fitting addition to the club’s 100-year milestone, even as divisions remain among supporters regarding the influence of its benefactor.
Businessman Wicknell Chivayo, a polarising figure, has honoured his promise to donate a new Higer bus to the country’s oldest football club, alongside a US$300,000 financial boost aimed at enhancing the team’s readiness for the season.
The bus is expected to be formally handed over on Tuesday at a ceremony to be officiated by Vice President Kembo Mohadi, underscoring the growing profile of the donation.
Chivayo’s expanding presence at Bosso has increasingly polarised the club’s support base, with critics questioning both the motives of the Zanu PF-linked businessman and the depth of his involvement in Highlanders’ internal affairs.
Scrutiny intensified following Highlanders’ abrupt reversal of the appointment of South African coach Thabo Senong, a decision that paved the way for former Warriors captain Benjani Mwaruwari to be named head coach.
The sudden change has been widely linked to Chivayo’s influence, though the club has not publicly detailed the decision-making process.
Chivayo has pushed back against suggestions that he is positioning himself for a takeover of the club, insisting his role is limited to offering assistance as a committed supporter.
The arrival of the new, luxuriously fitted team bus marks a significant upgrade from the vehicle donated by Nyaradzo Funeral Assurance in 2015, further highlighting the scale of Chivayo’s contribution and its growing visibility within the club.
