Zimbabwean musician Jah Prayzah has postponed his wedding to following the death of businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, in a fatal helicopter crash in Marondera.
The couple’s wedding had been scheduled for October 3, but Jah Prayzah said the ceremony would no longer go ahead as planned as the family and those close to Chivayo mourn the tragedy.
The musician described Chivayo as more than a friend, saying he was “family” and a brother who had walked closely with them through different chapters of their lives.
“Pane nguva yekuti zvimwe zvinhu zvese zvinofanira kumbomira,” Jah Prayzah said, meaning that there are times when everything else has to stop. He said the decision to postpone the wedding was made out of love, respect and the need to grieve with the affected families.
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The musician also extended his condolences to the families of everyone who died in the accident, saying: “Mwari vape nyaradzo nesimba kune vose vari kuchema panguva ino.”
Jah Prayzah said the couple would proceed with their wedding plans when the time was right.
The postponement comes just days after preparations for the high-profile wedding had gathered momentum. Chivayo had been closely associated with Jah Prayzah and had publicly supported the musician on several occasions. In July, Chivayo pledged US$500,000 for veteran musician Thomas “Mukanya” Mapfumo to perform at Jah Prayzah’s wedding. Mapfumo later confirmed that he would return to Zimbabwe for the wedding, as well as for Chivayo’s planned birthday celebrations.
Chivayo’s death occurred on Wednesday evening, September 30, when a helicopter carrying 5 people crashed in the Marondera Rural area of Mashonaland East Province. Police said the aircraft went down at around 5pm, while government officials confirmed that there were no survivors.
Chivayo and his wife Lucy Muteke were subsequently identified among those who died. Family spokesperson Herbert Chivayo confirmed the deaths, while authorities said investigations into the accident were underway. The cause of the crash had not been established at the time of reporting.
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