Pan African Woman of Impact Award bestowed on Prof Smelly Dube
Trailblazing Gweru businesswoman, philanthropist and Rivervalley Group of Companies Chief Executive Officer,Amb Proffessor Smelly Dube has scooped the prestigious Pan African Woman of Impact Champion of Change Legacy Award.
The honour was bestowed on her by the West African Leadership and Empowerment Centre at a glamorous awards ceremony held recently in Abuja, Nigeria.
Dr. Olawale Owoyomi, the Executive Director of the prestigious West African organisation said the award is in recognition of Prof Smelly Dube’s sterling efforts in shaping the development trajectory in Africa.
Prof Dube became a Special Guest as well as an Honoree.
The theme of the event was, “Ethical Leadership and Good Governance: Pathways to Political Stability in Africa.
The summit held on November 28th, 2025, at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, Nigeria was phenomenal.
It focused on ethical leadership in Africa, women empowerment, youth leadership, economic growth, innovative ideas and good governance.
The West African Leadership and Empowerment Centre (WALEC) is a leadership Centre designed to discuss ethical leadership in Africa, x-raying the challenges and providing possible solutions.
As WALEC, they educate, mentor, empower and motivate emerging leaders like Prof Dube to achieve their dreams.
On the other hand, the West African Leadership Summit and Awards serves as a medium for emerging leaders to interact with establish leaders in Africa, thereby giving them the needed opportunity to converge, network, deliberate and get mentored.
Prof Dube’s award is to celebrate her as an outstanding, emerging and established leader in the region of Africa.
“Your dedication, contributions and impactful service has not gone unnoticed; hence you have been nominated under the category: Pan-African Woman of Impact – Champion of Change Legacy Award,” said Dr Owoyomi in his citation.
Barely a month ago, Prof Dube was inducted into the 2025 Peace Achievers International hall of fame as the Most Inspiring Personality in Africa by the International Peace Achievers.
The award is an annual event that recognizes individuals and organizations for their contributions to peacebuilding, development, and community service in Africa for the past 15 years.
These developments come at a time when River Valley is now spreading its wings to Botswana and Prof Smelly Dube also playing a more active role in supporting Government and community efforts in the fight against drug and substance abuse. This has seen the Rivervalley Group of companies donating land in Shurugwi for the construction of a Rehabilitation centre.
Through their private property development company RiverValley Properties, Prof Smelly Dube and her spouse Eng Dr. Mncedisi Dube have provided descent homes to thousands of residents in Gweru, Shurugwi and other areas after developing the high density suburb of Woodlands Park and Hertfordshire middle density surbub, and Magakooshla in Shurugwi, among others.
Speaking after receiving the latest award, Prof Dube said that she is inspired to keep working hard to promote peace which is essential for economic growth and the empowerment of Zimbabweans and Africans.
“It is thus important that in all our efforts, we promote peace, love and unity,” Prof Smelly Dube said.
Prof Smelly Dube further applauded President Dr. E.D Mnangagwa for creating an environment condusive for business through the peace divident Zimbabwe enjoys.This has seen the Government policies yielding fruits in the country’s economic growth trajectory.
“We are striving to see the country’s vision 2030 enunciated by President Mnangagwa come to fruition and it is the pursuit of this goal that has seen us being honoured,” she said.
