Bishop Mutendi glorifies River Valley CEO Prof Smelly Dube at ZCC sacred Defe shrine

By Staff Reporter

In the spiritual heart of Gokwe, where the dust of Defe Dopota is considered sacred and the prayers of thousands rise like incense, the 87th birthday celebration of Zion Christian Church (ZCC) leader, Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi, unfolded not as a festival of receiving, but as a masterclass in the art of giving.

While most milestones of such magnitude are marked by personal tribute, Bishop Mutendi chose to transform his anniversary into a conduit of relief for the vulnerable. The catalyst for this wave of compassion was a significant gesture from one of Zimbabwe’s most prominent business power couples: River Valley CEO, Professor Dr. Smelly Dube, and her husband, Engineer Mncedisi Dube.

The story of the weekend’s benevolence began on Saturday in Gweru. As the Bishop made his way to the sacred shrine, he was hosted by the Dubes in a celebration that balanced the dignity of his office with the warmth of a family milestone. But the “gifts” presented by River Valley were not destined for the Bishop’s mantlepiece; they were food hampers intended for the hungry.

Standing before a sea of congregants on Sunday, just moments before delivering his highly anticipated prophecy, Bishop Mutendi took a moment to reflect on the nature of stewardship. He revealed that the hampers donated by the Dubes had already been identified for the underprivileged within the community.

“Whatever you share with the man of God, the man of God would want to share with those who lack,” the Bishop told the gathering, his voice carrying the weight of nearly nine decades of spiritual leadership. “She [Dr. Smelly Dube] understands and she knows the man of God very well… she donated hampers which the man of God again distributed to those who were in need.”

This “Theology of Giving” is the cornerstone of Mutendi’s ministry. In his eyes, a leader is merely a relay station for God’s blessings. By immediately redirecting the generosity of the River Valley executives to the poor, he reaffirmed a lifelong commitment to social welfare—a commitment that feels particularly resonant as rural communities navigate current economic headwinds.

For Professor Smelly Dube, the donation was more than a birthday gift; it was an investment in the spiritual and national fabric of Zimbabwe. A renowned philanthropist and real estate titan, Dr. Dube’s involvement with the ZCC is rooted in a shared vision of a prosperous nation.

“This donation is my humble way of thanking Bishop Mutendi for leading God’s work and continuing to pray for Zimbabwe’s prosperity under the leadership of His Excellency President Mnangagwa,” she stated.

She further bridged the gap between the pulpit and the boardroom, noting that the growth of her business empire is intrinsically linked to the stability and policies fostered by the current administration. Her philanthropy, she explained, is an active participation in the national journey toward an upper-middle-class economy by 2030—a journey that requires both “business thrive” and spiritual guidance.

As the sun set over Defe on Sunday, the 87th birthday of Bishop Mutendi left a lasting impression that went beyond the prophetic word. It served as a reminder of what can be achieved when the church and the private sector align. In the distribution of those hampers, the Bishop and the Dubes proved that while faith can move mountains, it is love—expressed through a simple food parcel—that sustains the people living in their shadows.