United Family International Church (UFIC) leader Emmanuel Makandiwa has publicly displayed US$1 million donated by businessman Wicknell Chivayo, providing visible confirmation that the highly publicised pledge has been fulfilled.
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Read E-PaperThe cash was presented during Sunday’s church service, where congregants watched as 20 plastic-wrapped bundles containing US$100 notes were placed before the congregation amid cheers and applause.
Chivayo pledged the US$1 million on August 2 to support construction projects at UFIC. The donation followed an earlier decision by Makandiwa to initially turn down the businessman’s offer before later accepting it.
Addressing worshippers during the service, Makandiwa used the donation to encourage members of the congregation to contribute towards the development of the church.
“This is actually a prophecy. The next bag is coming from you to the altar,” Makandiwa was quoted as saying.
He also challenged congregants to work towards making substantial contributions to the church, including aspiring to donate US$1 million during their lifetime.
The public presentation of the money appears to settle previous uncertainty surrounding whether Chivayo’s widely reported pledge had been fulfilled, with the cash now visibly handed over at UFIC.
As part of the same pledge, Chivayo also promised Makandiwa a new Rolls-Royce Cullinan and his wife, Ruth, a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon. However, there was no independent confirmation available at the time of publication that the two vehicles had been delivered.
Chivayo has said the US$1 million is intended to assist with church construction rather than serve as a personal gift to Makandiwa.
The businessman has become well known for high-value donations to churches, musicians, sports personalities and other public figures, attracting considerable public interest and debate over his wealth and his relationships with influential figures.
With the money now at the church, attention is likely to shift towards how the funds will be utilised and whether UFIC will provide details on the construction projects supported by the donation.
The latest development therefore marks a significant step from a publicly announced pledge to a visibly delivered US$1 million contribution to UFIC.
