By Staff Reporter
In the heart of Zimbabwe’s mineral-rich corridor, where the earth yields its riches to the persistent, a different kind of treasure was celebrated last Friday night. In the bustling mining town of Zvishavane, the air was thick with the spirit of excellence as local media giant YaFM hosted its annual awards—a night that proved leadership is best measured by the lives it touches.
At the center of this celebration stood
Ambassador Professor Smelly Dube
The CEO of River Valley Group did not just walk away with a trophy; she walked away with a mandate from the people. Voted as the
“Great Dyke Champion of the Year” and recognized as the Best Businesswoman and Public Influencer, Dube’s victory was unique because it wasn’t decided in a boardroom. It was decided by the listeners, the community members, and the grassroots followers of the Midlands and Masvingo Provinces.
A Business with a Soul
For Smelly Dube, business is not merely a collection of portfolios in property, mining, and retail. It is a vehicle for regional transformation. Her recognition as a “Champion” underscores a career built on the philosophy that corporate success is hollow if it doesn’t resonate in the streets and homes of the local community.
“This is a unique award for me because I was nominated by the people,” Dube remarked, visibly moved by the gesture. “I am humbled and inspired to do more to improve our community.”
The Vision of “Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo
The evening was also anchored by the presence of national vision. His Excellency President Dr. Emmerson Mnangagwa was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award, a moment Prof. Dube highlighted as a cornerstone of the night.
Aligning her own work with the President’s mantra of “leaving no one and no place behind,” Dube emphasized that the awards were a testament to the Shona proverb, Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo (A nation is built by its own people).
The Power of Local Voices
The Deputy Minister of Lands and Rural Development, Hon. Tsitsi Zhou, noted that the awards served as a “democratic platform.” By allowing the public to choose their leaders, the event bridged the gap between high-level commerce and community appreciation.
As the curtains closed on the Zvishavane ceremony, one thing was clear: Amb. Prof Smelly Dube is more than a CEO. She is a symbol of what happens when business acumen meets a heart for the people. In the Great Dyke, the champion isn’t just the one who builds the tallest buildings or mines the most gold—it’s the one who reaps back to society.
