By Staff Reporter
In a powerful intersection of corporate leadership and spiritual devotion, River Valley Group CEO Amb. Professor Smelly Dube celebrated the 87th birthday of ZCC leader Bishop Dr. Nehemiah Mutendi by delivering a massive donation of food relief to the vulnerable.
The presentation took place in Gweru on Saturday, September 19th. Prof. Dube, joined by her husband and River Valley Chairman Eng. Dr. Mncedisi Dube, handed over essential hampers including cooking oil, flour, sugar, and rice—specifically intended to support the most vulnerable members of the ZCC congregation.
“This is my humble way of thanking Bishop Mutendi for leading God’s work,” Prof. Dube shared.
“His spiritual guidance has been our anchor as we navigated the complexities of building a business empire. We are here to honor a legacy of mentorship that has transformed our lives.”
Beyond personal gratitude, Prof. Dube explicitly linked the gesture to the broader national agenda. She credited the conducive environment created by the current administration for allowing the private sector to thrive and give back.
“We are empowered to do this because of the pro-business policies of His Excellency President Mnangagwa,” she noted.
“It is through this partnership between the church, the private sector, and the government that Zimbabwe will achieve its vision of an upper-middle-class economy by 2030.”
The impact of the donation was felt immediately at the ZCC service in Defe on Sunday. As a representative announced the arrival of the hampers, the congregation expressed profound gratitude.
For the Midlands community, this act is a familiar chapter in Prof. Dube’s long history of “boots-on-the-ground” philanthropy.
Whether paying school fees for orphans or providing shelter for widows, her latest tribute reaffirms a commitment to returning to the community and thanking those who have supported her journey through prayer and faith.
