Freedom Mupanedemo
GWERU-based private property developer and miner Dr Smelly Dube scooped the top gong at the recent Zimbabwe CEOs Network awards dinner, where she was crowned Businesswoman of the Year 2026.
The maverick businesswoman, who has made her mark in property development and runs one of the largest indigenous mines in the Midlands Province, Tebekwe Mine, won the Super Platinum Businesswoman of the Year Award.
Others recognised for their business acumen included Mr Admire Ushe of Swayed Construction, who won the Southern Region Corporate Titan Super Platinum Award and Mr Brilliant Moyo of African Century Bank, who won the Sales Manager of the Year Financial Services Gold Medal.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Zimbabwe CEOs Network president Dr Tafadzwa Matsika said the organisation recognised outstanding men and women who were resilient and kept their companies running despite difficult economic conditions.
He said Dr Dube had stood out by steering a ship with more than 200 employees at Tebekwe Mine, contributing significantly to the country’s gold reserves.
“She is a resilient woman who takes every situation head-on. She has excelled in property development, a field dominated by male engineers and surveyors. As if that were not enough, she also ventured into mining, which is again male-dominated and has excelled, employing more than 200 workers. These are the businesspeople who help the Government achieve its goal of becoming a middle-income economy by 2030,” he said.
Dr Dube said the recognition was one of many achievements that continued to motivate her. She attributed the award to teamwork.
“This award is special to me because it came at a time when our operations are picking up pace. For example, here in Bulawayo, our housing project, Lower Rangemore 27A, is now on track after years of delays. I also want to dedicate it to my team at River Valley,” she said.
Meanwhile, Tebekwe Mine was also recognised at the ceremony, winning a gold medal.
