River Valley Group chief executive officer Smelly Dube has been named Great Dyke Champion of the Year at the YaFM Awards held in Zvishavane on Friday night.
Dube also won the Best Businesswoman and Public Influencer category following an online public vote conducted by the local radio station.
YaFM, which broadcasts across the Midlands and Masvingo provinces, invited listeners to nominate and vote for business leaders and organisations making an impact in their communities.
Dube was recognised for her contribution to the regional economy through River Valley Group, which has interests in property development, mining and retail.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa was also honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the ceremony.
Commenting on the President’s recognition, Dube said: “At River Valley we recognise His Excellency President Mnangagwa’s efforts in transforming rural communities and his national developmental mantra of ‘leaving no one and no place behind’. The award given to him therefore is worth celebrating.”
Guest of honour, Deputy minister of Lands and Rural Development Tsitsi Zhou, commended YaFM for giving members of the public an opportunity to recognise leaders making an impact in their communities.
Dube said her award was particularly meaningful because it came directly from the station’s listeners.
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“This is a unique award for me because I was nominated by the people who listen to YaFM and follow what we do,” she said.
“I am humbled and inspired to do more to improve our community. Indeed, Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo.”
The awards highlighted the role of local media in recognising business and community leadership across the Midlands and Masvingo regions.
