Kudakwashe Tagwirei, one of Zimbabwe’s most prominent businessmen and a close ally of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, reportedly funded this year’s Munhumutapa Day commemorations and the President’s 83rd birthday celebrations in Zvishavane to the tune of at least US$2 million.
The dual events, held on Monday, brought thousands of ruling party youths from across the country to the Midlands province, with sources revealing that Tagwirei’s largesse covered a wide array of logistical needs. Catering alone reportedly accounted for over US$120,000 spent on Chicken Slice and a similar sum on Chicken Inn, ensuring that the assembled crowds were fed throughout the festivities.
ZANU-PF Youth League Secretary for Commissariat, Taurai Kandishaya, inadvertently confirmed Tagwirei’s financial role in a social media post, describing him as the “major sponsor and partner” of the celebrations.
“On behalf of Africa youth, I would like to extend heartfelt appreciation to President ED Mnangagwa for hosting us at his Zvishavane home ground to celebrate Munhumutapa Day and his birthday,” Kandishaya wrote. “Special thanks to Cde Kuda Tagwirei, the programme’s major sponsor and partner for making it happen. Your trust and loyalty to President ED’s leadership are evident in your willingness to partner in any event that advances his national vision.”
Deputy Secretary for Security Tendai Chirau also acknowledged Tagwirei’s central role, highlighting the tycoon’s contribution to the logistical success of the events. “It is key to appreciate selfless cadres who make things happen,” Chirau noted. “It’s not asking much.”
The celebrations coincided with Munhumutapa Day, a public holiday established to honour Zimbabwe’s ancestral heritage and commemorate the legacy of the Munhumutapa kingship. Combining the holiday with Mnangagwa’s birthday allowed the ruling party to fuse patriotic symbolism with political messaging, reinforcing the President’s image while celebrating a historic Zimbabwean institution.
Tagwirei’s financial backing of such events is part of a long-standing pattern of support that has cemented his position as one of Mnangagwa’s most trusted allies. Since the 2017 military-assisted transition that propelled Mnangagwa to the presidency, the businessman has been a key financial lifeline. He notably funded the controversial Command Agriculture programme, which parliamentary investigations later accused of mismanaging more than US$3 billion in state resources.
Tagwirei Shells Out US$2 Million for Mnangagwa’s Birthday and Munhumutapa Day Celebrations
Tagwirei’s connections extend beyond Mnangagwa, reaching back to the late President Robert Mugabe’s era. He controversially secured the lucrative Dema diesel power plant contract ahead of international bidders, a move that elevated his profile and solidified his standing within Zimbabwe’s political and business elite.
Despite facing sanctions from the United States and the United Kingdom due to his close ties with Zimbabwe’s ruling establishment, Tagwirei remains a principal financier of ZANU-PF, providing campaign resources, vehicles, and even salaries for party personnel. His support ensures the party’s operational capacity, particularly during national celebrations and electoral campaigns, where large-scale logistics and mobilization require significant financial input.
The businessman’s recent contribution to Mnangagwa’s birthday festivities underscores his enduring role as a political benefactor. By funding large gatherings and ensuring smooth operations, Tagwirei not only bolsters the President’s public profile but also reaffirms his position as an indispensable player within the ruling party’s inner circles.
Observers note that the scale of the spending reflects the symbiotic relationship between wealth and politics in Zimbabwe. Tagwirei’s financial support enables high-profile public events that amplify Mnangagwa’s leadership image, while simultaneously reinforcing his own influence within ZANU-PF. The visibility of his contributions, often acknowledged openly by party officials, further consolidates his reputation as a critical backer of the President’s agenda.
This year’s US$2 million outlay follows a familiar pattern in Zimbabwean politics, where affluent allies provide crucial support to state and party functions, particularly during symbolic national events. By underwriting logistics, catering, and transportation for thousands of attendees, Tagwirei ensures that the celebrations are not only successful but also politically potent, creating an environment that visibly showcases loyalty and solidarity with the ruling elite.
Tagwirei’s role as Mnangagwa’s benefactor highlights the broader dynamics of Zimbabwean political patronage, where business resources and political loyalty are closely intertwined. From historic contracts to contemporary sponsorships, his influence demonstrates how private wealth can shape public events and reinforce political hierarchies.
With his latest financial injection into the President’s birthday and Munhumutapa Day celebrations, Tagwirei has once again solidified his status as a central figure in Zimbabwe’s political and economic landscape, proving that his partnership with Mnangagwa is as enduring as it is strategically significant.
Source- Bulawayo24
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
