Tributes Pour In for Captain Kelvin Soda, the Pilot Killed in Wicknell Chivayo Helicopter Crash
- Captain Kelvin Soda has been identified as the pilot flying the helicopter that crashed near Marondera on 30 September 2026
- Businessman Wicknell Chivayo, his wife Lucy Muteke and three others passed away in the fatal crash near Marondera, Zimbabwe
- Tributes flooded social media for Captain Soda, with many calling for him to be recognised as a national hero
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Source: Twitter
Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.
ZIMBABWE — The pilot who died in a fatal helicopter crash near Marondera on 30 September 2026 has been identified as Captain Kelvin T Soda.
Captain Soda was at the controls of the aircraft when it went down at approximately 5 pm local time in the Marondera rural area, roughly 70 kilometres east of Harare. The helicopter came down at Kudenga Farm, killing all occupants on board.
State broadcaster ZBC reported that the aircraft had taken off from Gandami in Chikomba district, where millionaire businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife Lucy Muteke had been overseeing construction work on a rural home. The crash occurred approximately 40 minutes into the flight, with some accounts suggesting the helicopter was heading towards Harare at the time.
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Victims of the Marondera crash
Captain Soda was not the only life lost. Wicknell Chivayo, his wife Lucy Chivayo, Miss Senelisiwe Magagula, and co-pilot Captain Courage Mutavirwa also perished in the crash. There were no survivors. Zimbabwe's Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, Tino Machakaire, confirmed the identities of those on board.
Tafadzwa Chidawa, who shared a cockpit selfie of Captain Soda wearing his pilot headgear, described him as "a humble and dedicated Pilot" and expressed grief over the loss on behalf of the nation.
Tributes pour in for Captain Soda
Social media users responded with an outpouring of condolences and calls for Captain Soda to be formally recognised for his service.
@yamakate10 wrote:
"Soda ...from AFZ? Ha, I am gutted. He was a good guy this one."
@misscailah said:
"My deepest condolences to his family. He is our hero."
@tadiwanashet121 posted:
"Bro deserves the national hero status."
@chihoro_vacho commented:
"My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. This is the true hero in this story."
@thandoe79796354 wrote:
"Rest in peace, soldier. You fought a good fight. You are a national hero."
@JurGen_cRaNkRed added:
"Now this is a true hero who deserves all the sympathy and condolences the world can give."
@LadyofPunt said:
"May your soul find a seat with the great ancestors."
Chivayo's children were not on board the helicopter
Briefly News also reported that Chivayo's two children from his previous marriage were confirmed safe and were not aboard the doomed aircraft.
The Zimbabwean millionaire and his new wife Lucy died in the helicopter crash near Marondera on Wednesday, 30 September 2026.
The crash, which occurred at around 5 pm, also claimed the lives of two crew members and one other individual.
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Source: Briefly News
