Zimbabwean businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei lavishes wealth on local football clubs

Controversial Zimbabwean businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei seems to have a thick skin despite the recent wave of controversies, corruption allegations and U.S. and UK sanctions that have engulfed him.

Tagwirei, who was recently at the center of an investigative report by The Sentry, has now donated millions of dollars in sponsorships and gifts to the Dynamos Harare and Highlanders football clubs in Zimbabwe through his Sakunda Holdings Limited.

Both the clubs compete in the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League.

ZimLive reported that Tagwirei committed $5.3 million over three years to the clubs.

The clubs previously relied primarily on revenues generated from ticket sales to survive. However, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 took a negative toll on their budgets.

Tagwirei also donated two Ford Everest and two Ford Ranger double-cab vehicles for the clubs’ coaches and captains. The cars are valued at more than $200,000 combined.

Moreover, the billionaire said Sakunda will buy a house in honor of the late Dynamos legend George Shaya for his family worth $120,000 and present three homes worth $90,000 each to Dynamos icon Moses Chunga, Highlanders legend Madinda Ndlovu, and football commentator Charles Mabika.

In total, Tagwirei will donate $410,000 in gifts and $5.3 million in sponsorships.

Sakunda Holdings Limited

Sakunda Holdings Limited is a Zimbabwean conglomerate founded by Tagwirei. It has subsidiaries in the energy, mining, logistics and trading sectors.

The company imports and supplies diesel, petrol, renewable biofuel and kerosene into Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia.