Down-to-earth, humility and modesty have been used to describe Gweru-based businesswoman and philathropist, Smelly Dube.
The entrepreneur has been recognised locally and internationally for her works.
Dube, the chief executive at River Valley Properties, a land developing company, has received awards of excellence in leadership and enterprise at the African Achievers award annually held in the United Kingdom.
The businesswoman has won international book prizes and several awards for her sterling work in philanthropy.
Recently, she was honoured by El Roi London University after she was appointed as the deputy pro-vice chancellor of the higher learning institution.
Before the pro-vice chancellorship honour, EL Roi had selected her as a candidate for an honorary professor of mining and industrial development in recognition of her work as one of the country's women miners who has brought change in the sector.
In conferring her with the professorship, El Roi London University pro-vice chancellor, Oluwafemi Esan said: “The authority of the institution recognises all your work and outstanding achievement in the area of mining and industrial development across the continent of Africa at large. As an outstanding leader you exemplify all the standards that our establishment strives for.”
Dube is co-director at Tebekwe Mine in Shurugwi and the gold producer employs about 200 people with over 1 000 dependents benefiting from the mining venture.
City University of Paris also recently conferred Dube with honorary professional doctorate in business administration while the same institution awarded her husband Mncedisi, an engineer by profession, with an honorary doctorate specialising in engineering.
Dube told NewsDay Weekender that humility was the cornerstone of her success.
“When we were growing up my parents taught me that the first thing that shapes the success path of an individual is humility,” Dube said.
“Being arrogant and haughty has led to the downfall of many people who have potential to change the world. So when you wake up every morning you need to look at yourself in the mirror and say I am made in the image of God and so is the next person.”
She added: “Usually when success starts knocking at people’s doors, they become pompous and start beating their chests to the extent of thinking they are even smarter than the Almighty creator who gives them such privileges.”
Dube said her passion to help the less privileged continuously pushes her to yearn for growth not only in business and other achievements, but spiritually.
The multiple award-winning businesswoman said she would use her recent academic achievements to open horizons for the disadvantaged so that they can realise their academic dreams.
She shared her recipe for success by saying: “Be meek, humble, down to earth, goal-getter, zeal to uplift the next person and God will open a world of opportunities for you.”