On Christmas Day, socialite Wicknell Chivayo distributed US$100 notes to airport staff at Victoria Falls International Airport, acknowledging their dedication to work during the holiday.
However, during this generous act, one woman, dressed in a pink top and blue jeans, was unfortunately overlooked amidst the crowd of airport employees and travelers vying for cash.
As Chivayo boarded his private jet to Harare with his partner, Lucy Muteke, he reflected on the experience.
He expressed his admiration for the airport staff who chose to forgo time with their families and shared his sentiment on social media.
“Out of gratitude and compassion, I decided to bless the staff wearing green reflective vests with USD100 each as a small token of appreciation,” he wrote.
Regrettably, his good intentions were misunderstood as non-staff members began to join the fray, leading to chaotic scenes.
The situation escalated when, in the confusion, one woman mistakenly received a US$100 note before Chivayo realized that not everyone in the crowd was affiliated with the airport.
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As he stopped his distribution, the woman in the pink top was left without any cash, despite her heartfelt pleas.
Chivayo expressed his sorrow over the incident, acknowledging that it has subjected the woman to online ridicule and derogatory comments.
He emphasized that, while he doesn’t know her personally, he felt compelled to apologize for the “public embarrassment” she has faced, which may also have affected her family.
“I understand her actions. I would have done exactly the same thing if I saw a millionaire giving money in that context,” Chivayo stated. He recognized the woman’s reaction as a natural response to seize an opportunity in a moment of hope and necessity.
To help make amends, Chivayo offered the woman a gesture of goodwill, inviting her to urgently contact his lawyer, Mr. Sikhumbuzo Mpofu of Munangate & Associates, to collect US$5,000 intended to address the reputational damage caused by the incident. He concluded with a message of encouragement, stating, “What may seem like a moment of humiliation can become a point of breakthrough, and certain trials often lead to triumphs and greater opportunities.”
