IN the beginning, there was Roger Boka, a man credited with championing tobacco farming by black farmers.
The golden leaf was then a preserve for white commercial farmers.
Boka constructed a tobacco auction floor, which was one of the largest in the world at the time, near Mbudzi roundabout, now known as Trababalas Interchange.
Besides the auction floors, Boka owned a bank, United Merchant Bank.
The businessman was rumoured to have wanted to tar the road linking his rural home in Chiendambuya from Headlands off the Harare-Mutare Road to Chikore, which borders Makoni and Mutoko districts.
Then came Philip Chiyangwa, who many have described as a maverick and flamboyant businessperson.
Dr Phil, as Chiyangwa is fondly known, has been into many ventures that include entertainment, boxing promotions, real estate and engineering.
To his credit, Chiyangwa at one time brought to Zimbabwe the late pop star Michael Jackson.
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He, just like Boka, promoted black empowerment through the Affirmative Action Group. Chiyangwa’s Pinnacle Properties changed many people’s lives as they became proud homeowners.
Today, Zimbabwe has Wicknell Munodaani Chivayo, whose generosity has divided opinion, locally and abroad.
A showy character, Chivayo does not hide the fact that he has deep pockets.
He has posted stuff that many would not want the world to know.
Chivayo posts moments he has with powerful politicians, his shoe room, his wife, plush cars, in private jets or holidaying in places many just imagine in dreams.
His list of Kodak moments he shared with the world includes pictures with former First Lady Grace Mugabe, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, opposition leader Nelson Chamisa and Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Chivayo has been on a giving frenzy, handing out cars to musicians, pastors and comedians.
Those given cars have thanked him countless times for transforming their lives.
Some of his beneficiaries are already rich, but he blesses them as a way of showing his appreciation for their contribution to the nation or for how they impacted his own life.
Boka, Chiyangwa and Chivayo have something in common.
Growing up, odds were against them.
They had to find their way to the top.
At one time, the late Boka was a clerk, Chiyangwa was a vegetable vendor in Chegutu and Chivhayo was a clerk at a bus company.
Many have scrutinised their sources of income.
The three men publicly admitted to be top Zanu PF supporters.
Their links to Zanu-PF heightened speculation that they may have been fronts for influential government officials.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s name has been thrown in as the man behind Chivayo’s riches.
This claim, Mnangagwa refuted when he had a meeting with the editors at State House in February.
“Where could I find the funds to reimburse him?” Mnangagwa stated.
“Instead of wasting my time worrying about someone who is using his own money, look into where you think I am getting the money to give Chivayo to distribute.
“You can’t trouble me about a charitable person. Anyone should notify the police if their money was stolen.”
Chivayo’s source of wealth has remained a mystery amid claims he is a tenderpreneur, feasting on government contracts.
Chivayo’s riches and his benevolence have sent tongues wagging.
Many have been suggesting that Chivayo should fund the Health ministry so that it is well-stocked and has medical facilities refurbished, instead of dishing out cars like confetti at a wedding.
Others have been saying Chivayo is using national resources he is getting through corrupt tenders to dish out those freebies.
Some of the reasons he has advanced for dishing out cars are astounding.
Dancer Mai Welly got an Aqua for dancing at a Zanu PF rally.
Actor Bhutisi (Admire Kuzhangira) got his share for his Ishe vanoseka zvavo prophecy.
Chimurenga musician Thomas “Mukanya” Mapfumo and cleric Eunor Guti, wife of the late Zaoga founder Ezekiel, have turned down Chivayo's "gifts".
The opposition and some Christians have raised concerns when some people they thought would not accept these gifts did the unthinkable, as they took their cars.
Are people justified in lynching Chivayo?
Is it genuine criticism or are people just seeing a soft spot to vent their anger?
Critics say Chivayo could be benefiting from his proximity to power. They refer to the audio in which he declared that Ndakachibata kuti dzvii (I am in charge) as evidence that he is riding on the coattails of influential people in society.
Backers, however, say Chivayo could be behaving like any rational being who uses opportunities to the maximum.
The Christian world is not as clean as we all think because proceeds of corruption, dirty deals and fraudulent activities are finding their way into the church’s collection basket, they claim.
Where money is concerned, caution and morals are thrown out the window.
Ministers and MPs demand their service vehicles even when the country is faced with severe droughts and diseases.
Chivayo's backers cite cases where opposition lawyers chose to represent Zanu PF officials in courts.
Responding to accusations of being a fraudster, Chivayo posted on social media that he has not committed any crime.
This was after the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) was said to be investigating his wealth.
Chivayo suggested that the probe was motivated by jealousy.
“What is painful is you’re going to car sales and asking about [Toyota]Aqua cars bought for the members of the apostolic sect,” Chivayo said.
“Why don’t you just say: 'Mr Chivayo, can the programme for Aqua car also include Zacc?'”
Chivayo has threatened to spend even more money on members of his sect.
“I have not committed any crime. I know in your eyes, everyone with wealth is a thief,” he said.
“I am begging you not to harass members of the apostolic sect. I said this year, US$3 million is theirs and you have irritated me.
“I am putting aside another US$400 000 for a further 50 Aquas.
