Victoria Falls City Town Clerk, Mr Ronnie Dube, has been named Zimbabwe’s Best Performing Chief Executive for 2024 by the Zimbabwe CEO’s Network.
The Zimbabwe CEO’s Network is an exclusive organisation that facilitates learning and development for top executives through peer group meetings, mentoring, targeted curricula, and focused events.
Annually, the Network evaluates and recognises outstanding leaders in various sectors.
Mr Dube, who assumed his position at Victoria Falls City Council eight years ago, succeeded Mr Christopher Dube, now Town Clerk for Bulawayo City Council.
Since then, Victoria Falls City has consistently received accolades for excellence in local governance, earning at least three awards annually.
Upon taking office in 2017, Mr Dube prioritised securing city status for Victoria Falls, a milestone achieved in 2019. Under his leadership, the city has completed its master plan and is working towards a “smart city” concept. This vision positions Victoria Falls as a world-class sustainable tourism destination, while focusing on affordable housing, clean water, and heritage preservation.
This year, the Zimbabwe CEO’s Network presented Mr Dube with a gold award, recognising his significant contributions to Zimbabwe’s business sector.
The award commended his instrumental leadership, visionary approach, and dedication to fostering development.
Speaking about the recognition, Mr Dube attributed the award to teamwork and unity of purpose within the council.
“This is an incredible honour that reflects the collective hard work of our team. I extend my sincere gratitude to the Mayor, Councillor Prince Thuso Moyo, councillors, directors, staff, and the community for their unwavering support. Without them, this success wouldn’t be possible,” he said.
Victoria Falls City, famous for its natural wonders, is also gaining attention for its proactive urban development strategies. Key initiatives include:
· Housing Schemes: A new housing scheme for 500 beneficiaries aims to reduce a waiting list of 18,000. This follows a 2016 partnership with CBZ Holdings, which delivered 1,900 stands.
· WASH Programme: The city is enhancing water, sanitation, and hygiene services in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Ongoing work on new water reservoirs has already seen an investment of US$2.2 million, although US$14 million is needed to complete the project.
· Smart City Vision: By 2030, Victoria Falls aims to become a smart city and a premier tourism destination, leveraging technology and sustainable practices to enhance residents’ quality of life while attracting global visitors.
Mr Dube emphasised the importance of these efforts:
“Through initiatives like allocating over 550 stands and prioritising water and sanitation, the council is enhancing life for current residents and preparing for future generations. These projects underscore our commitment to building a thriving, sustainable community for all,” he said.
As Victoria Falls continues to implement these transformative initiatives, Mr Dube said, it is setting a benchmark for urban resilience and community-focused governance.
