A quiet, tender moment between a little girl and a loyal security guard became one of the most talked-about images from the burial of Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo on what was already an emotionally heavy day for many.
Chivayo and his wife, Lucy “Lulu” Muteke Chivayo, were laid to rest at Sahwira Glen Forest Memorial Park, a hilltop cemetery in Harare.
Mourners, friends, and members of the public gathered to pay their final respects at what was described as a deeply sorrowful occasion.
Atarah and her bodyguard’s touching exchange
Amid the grief, photographs taken at the burial quietly told a different story. In one image, Chivayo’s young daughter Atarah was pictured leaning out of a parked vehicle window, reaching to hug a heavily built security guard standing just outside.
The guard responded with a warm smile, clearly at ease with the child.
Later, during the burial proceedings beneath a mourners’ marquee at the cemetery, the same bodyguard was photographed kneeling beside Atarah. The easy familiarity between the two suggested a bond built over considerable time, long before this difficult afternoon.
Social media moved by the images
Once the photographs circulated online, they drew an outpouring of emotion from social media users who were struck by the protective warmth the guard showed toward the grieving child. Online user Gugu Nyandoro commented: “Atarah has so much love to give ♡♡ I saw her naScott too. Loyal bodyguard.”
Precious Mariranyika reflected on how the youngest family members were processing the loss.
“I think these kidz hawasi kutonyatsoziva Kuti what is going on for sure pachaenda vanhu wese ndipo pawachada kuziva Kuti where is Daddy.” Runyararo Nyandoro added: “Your observation is very correct its the mindset of a particular environment one comes from..its sad.”
For the many who followed the burial, the brief exchange offered a rare moment of warmth during a period of profound sorrow for the Chivayo family.
