CHATSWORTH, MASVINGO – Zimbabwean millionaire businessman and Sakunda Holdings chief executive Dr Kudakwashe Tagwirei has donated US$1 million to the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) in Zimbabwe Youth People’s Union (YPU), in a major financial boost for one of the country’s biggest church youth movements.
By Advent Shoko
The donation was announced during the ongoing AFM National Youth Elevation Conference at the historic Rufaro Conference Centre in Chatsworth, Masvingo, where hundreds of thousands of young people have gathered for worship, leadership development and empowerment sessions. The conference itself has been drawing national attention, with a massive turnout from across Zimbabwe and beyond.
Tagwirei said the money was meant to reimburse the YPU department for funds already used to host the national conference, turning what many at the gathering described as a faith event into a moment of financial relief and renewed momentum for the church’s youth ministry. He said:
“The money is to reimburse the department for the money used to host this conference.”
The donation immediately became one of the defining moments of the conference, not only because of its size, but because it came wrapped in a deeply personal testimony from one of Zimbabwe’s most influential business figures.
From A 12-Hour Fuel Queue To A Business Empire
In an address that blended business mentorship, faith and personal reflection, Tagwirei traced his journey back to 2002, when he says the seed of his empire was planted during a frustrating 12-hour wait in a fuel queue while travelling to South Africa.
According to his account, the experience pushed him and his wife Sandra to identify a problem that needed solving.
“I started the fuel company with US$7,000 in 2002. This was after spending 12 hours in a queue to get fuel while going to South Africa.”
He said on his return, he discussed the idea with his wife and decided to venture into fuel trading, initially buying 12,000 litres.
That modest start would later grow into Sakunda Holdings, named after Sandra and Kuda. The company is now widely known as one of Zimbabwe’s most prominent companies in the energy, agriculture and infrastructure sectors.
His rise from small-scale fuel trading to commanding one of the country’s biggest business brands has long been part of his public story. Historical profiles show that Tagwirei built his name by moving aggressively into fuel supply and later securing strategic infrastructure-linked deals, including interests around the Beira-Harare fuel pipeline network and large-scale state-linked contracts.
The House He Sold To Build The Dream
One of the most striking parts of his testimony was his reflection on risk and investment.
Tagwirei told the congregation that as the business began to grow, he and his family made a bold decision to sell their house in Westgate to raise capital. He added:
“We sold the Westgate house and used the US$21,000 to support the business. A house is a liability. Sell it and invest.”
The statement is likely to spark debate, especially in a country where property ownership is often seen as the safest form of wealth preservation.
But in the context of his speech, the message was clear: capital must move toward productivity.
He framed this as a lesson for the young people in attendance, that wealth creation often demands calculated sacrifice.
Faith, Calling And Wealth
In a speech that constantly moved between entrepreneurship and spirituality, Tagwirei repeatedly emphasised that wealth without purpose can become destructive.
“Always remember that the money I was getting was to be used for God’s work. It is dangerous to forget your calling.”
He used the example of a church project he embarked on that was once estimated at US$2.5 million, but which later ballooned to US$12 million after being delayed.
The anecdote was used to reinforce a broader moral lesson. He said:
“Don’t follow money. Do God’s work and it shall follow you.”
This messaging fits neatly into the AFM conference’s broader theme of youth elevation through faith, leadership and purpose, which organisers say is central to this year’s gathering.
Politics, Power And Public Profile
Tagwirei’s appearance at such a major church event also carries significance beyond religion.
Over the years, he has evolved from a low-profile businessman into a figure increasingly linked to national policy conversations, philanthropy and political influence.
His name has frequently surfaced in discussions around government-linked projects, including Command Agriculture, a programme he referenced in his address.
“Then I entered into other stuff like Command Agriculture.”
This part of his background helps bridge the current donation with his broader public image: a businessman who has consistently positioned himself at the intersection of commerce, governance, policy and national development.
In recent years, he has also made headlines for major public donations and large-scale financial commitments in education, politics and community development.
More Than A Donation
For AFM’s youth wing, the US$1 million pledge is more than a headline-grabbing figure.
It signals strong backing for a department that is increasingly becoming central to the church’s future leadership pipeline.
At a time when Zimbabwe’s young people continue to grapple with unemployment, economic uncertainty and social pressures, Tagwirei’s message, combining entrepreneurship, faith and resilience, appears carefully aimed at inspiring ambition.
Whether viewed as philanthropy, strategic influence, or genuine spiritual commitment, the donation has undeniably turned the conference into one of the most talked-about faith and governance stories of the week.
And as Tagwirei told the congregation:
“Where God points, there is life.”
The clinic which the church intended to build with own funds will now come to life, without a doubt.
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