By Staff Reporter
River Valley Group Directors, Eng. Dr. Mncedisi Dube and Amb. Prof. Smelly Dube, were honoured among the Top 100 Most Notable Peace Icons of Africa 2026 at a continental summit held in Marrakech, Morocco, on June 27.
The prestigious recognition, conferred by the Nigeria-based Davidan Peace and Advocacy Foundation, celebrated the couple’s outstanding contributions to humanitarian work and business leadership across Africa.
The awards ceremony was held at the Mövenpick Hotel following a high-level business summit attended by leaders from the mining, property development, oil and gas, aviation and other key sectors of the economy.
The Dubes, who operate the Tebekwe Gold Mine and several property development projects in Zimbabwe under the River Valley Group of Companies, were invited to address delegates on investment opportunities in Zimbabwe’s mining and real estate sectors.
Speaking at the summit, River Valley Group Chief Executive Officer Amb. Prof. Smelly Dube attributed the company’s growth to the economic environment created under President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 development agenda, which seeks to transform Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.
“This platform gave us an opportunity to connect, share ideas and expand our business not only in Zimbabwe, but across the African continent,” she said.
“Our success is anchored on the visionary leadership of His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa, whose policies continue to create an enabling environment for business. Despite global economic volatility, Zimbabwe’s economy remains stable and is poised for increased growth in 2026. As the River Valley Group of Companies, we are proud to be part of this success story.”
The continental recognition comes shortly after the couple’s humanitarian intervention in Gweru, where they provided financial and material assistance to families of the six children who died in a commuter omnibus fire, complementing Government relief efforts during the tragedy.
Chairperson of the organising committee, Ambassador Dr. Kingsley Amafibe, said the Dubes were selected in recognition of their growing influence, visionary leadership and contribution to Africa’s socio-economic development.
“This honour celebrates not only your remarkable achievements but also the hope, inspiration and opportunities your leadership continues to create for countless people across the continent,” he said during the awards ceremony.
Delegates at the summit concluded the gathering by calling for increased intra-African trade and stronger cross-border investment partnerships to accelerate the continent’s economic transformation under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Several prominent Zimbabwean business leaders were also recognised at the event, including Dr. Kudakwashe Regimond Tagwirei, Hon. Dr. Pedzai Scott Sakupwanya and Sir Wicknell Chivayo for their contributions to business, empowerment and philanthropy.
Other distinguished participants and award recipients included Othmane Sefrioui, Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director of Hublot Morocco; Zama Phakathi, Managing Director of Splendid Group South Africa; Dr. Kunemofa Asu, Director of Finance and Accounts at the Niger Delta Development Commission (Nigeria); Reginald Max, Senior Advisor at the Trade and Development Bank Group (Kenya); Prof. Nicaise Ndembi, Deputy Director-General and Head of the IVI Africa Regional Office in Rwanda; and Mr. Manji Obadiah, Executive Director of HM Autocentre Ltd (United Kingdom), among other high-profile delegates and award recipients.
