Leaders Without Borders induct Eng Dube, Prof Smelly Dube into 2025 Hall of Fame

By Staff Writer

Gweru business couple of Engineer Dr. Mncedisi Dube and Amb Prof Smelly Dube have been inducted into the 2025 Hall of Fame by the Leaders Without Borders- curving a place among Africa’s finest business personalities.

The honor come at a time when their leding firm River Valley is now spreading its wings to Botswana.

The awards ceremony held recently in Windhoek, Namibia metarmophosed as the 10th Leaders Without Borders International Economic Development and Investment Business Summit, from 24-25 October 2025.

This year’s theme was dubbed: Eliminating Intra-African Trade Barriers: Strengthening Policy Reforms & Strategic Execution Models for Africa’s Economic Growth.

Through their private property development company RiverValley Properties, the Dube couple has 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 Magako oshla in Shurugwi, among others.

The developments have therefore contributed to Zimbabwe’s quest of an upper middle income society/ economy under President Mnangagwa’s great Vison 2030.

Speaking after receiving the awards, Prof Dube said the open for business policies introduced by the second Republic strengthened ease of doing business in Zimbabwe.

“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.

The power couple was also recognised for the contribution to Zimbabwe’s economic development through their mining ventures at Tebekwe mine in Shurugwi. Their mining activities have grown the economy and sustains more than 500 families in direct employment and thousands of beneficiaries through their philanthropic engagements in Gweru, Shurugwi and Zvishavane.

For over a decade, Leaders Without Borders Development Centre has empowered global leaders and entrepreneurs, fostering trade, investment, and cross-border partnerships. Connecting high-achieving CEOs, business moguls, and technocrats, the Leaders Without Borders Development Centre drives economic growth through strategic alliances and investment forums.

Dr. Hillary Emoh the Founder and Principal Partner of the Leaders Without Borders Development Centre UK, said the prestigious awards to the Dubes are in recognition of their immense development work.

The honour was bestowed on them by the Governing Council of the Leaders Without Borders as Special Guests to the 10th Anniversary of the Leaders Without Borders International Economic Development & Investment Summit.

It was under the category: Exceptional Visionary Leader Award .

They were subsequently inducted into the Leaders Without Borders – Hall of Fame.

His Excellency Dr. Nangolo Mbumba, former President of the Republic of Namibia graced the occasion as special guest of honour.

At the event were international attendees from across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the UAE, with the sole purpose of engaging with investment opportunities across Africa.

It created a level playing ground for businesses to explore partnership opportunities, expansion, and collaboration.

A major thread of the discussions was about partnerships, investments, disruption and strategies on the cusp of transformation in a selected number of sectors, including Economic Development, International Trade, Investment opportunities, FinTech, PropTech, InfoTech, Financial Markets, Infrastructures development, Agribusiness, Mining and Renewables.

One of the key highlights of the 10th Anniversary Celebration was the unveiling of the TOP 50 EMERGING BUSINESSES IN AFRICA.

This list is a prestigious recognition of the next wave of innovative enterprises and businesses reshaping the African Continent.

Each business nominated has shown outstanding growth, resilience, visionary leadership, and sustainability, setting the bar for excellence in the global marketplace.

The Dubes had one of their subsidiary companies, Matovu lnvestments Trading as Tebeke Mine awarded among the Top 50 Emerging African companies.

The Summit was not your typical summit — it brought together a diverse group of people who are ready to trade and do business across borders.