Harare- MUTOKO bred social justice advocate, development practitioner and founder of the country’s first youth and community eccentric organisation Marvel Youth Act Organisation (Mayo), Abel Mavura has been honoured with the Outsanding Social Justice Champion at the Zim Community Trailblazers awards held in Harare Friday.
Mavura who is also a published author, received his award at a glittering ceremony that was graced by top trailblazers, government officials and revered proffesionals.
He broke new ground when he started Mayo in a rural community set up , a feat that changed lives and bridged the gap between rural and urban education.
Under his social justice activism, he has advocated inclusive education.
The ZCN awards organisers said they recognised the work he has put in championing social justice especially inclusive education that bridges the gap between rural and urban education
Speaking on the sidelines of the awards ceremony, the pint sized social justice advocate said
“I am humbled to receive this award and having our work recognised at a national level.
” I salute my dedicated team and all stakeholders who have supported me .
“We started off in the rural community of Mutoko where I was born and I am a firm believer in bridging the gap between rural and urban education and I had to push the dream and trust the proccess despite hurdles and setbacks along the way , we stood firm.
“Together, with our team. we have been accelerating youth empowerment through the creation of a youth hub and book club project in Mutoko.
” The aim of these hubs is to boost research skills and incorporate a culture of reading thus bridging the information gap for marginalised youths.
” Hence, moving more towards the youths neglecting the use of substance abuse and divert their attention rather time towards something of value to the society.
“We are looking at spreading our wings so we have identified sites in Harare and other towns to set up more hubs,”said Mavura who is also an entreprenuer with intrests in various sectors.
Mavura has also been instrumental in calling for the strengthening of mental health and education systems as well as abolishment of harmful practices in children.
His wealth of experience in advocacy work at a global level , played a pivotal role in bringing results.
He has worked as an ICT, Advocacy and Campaigns Support for Action Aid in Ghana and one of his key responsibilities was developing training modules on campaign development, computer literacy, internet use and social media for advocacy.
Armed with this experience, Mavura has been using his creativity to write and direct plays for social change and he is an author of three books.
His debut novel is The Art of Realising Your Dream, a novel that mirrors on the significance of goal setting, self affirmation, discipline and staying courageous. The novel was recognised amongst Zimbabwe top 40 influential Christians list of 2017.
In 2018 he penned his second book called Taku’s Awakening which spotlights on the importance of decision making, which is proving to very key for mostly youths of today.
His literary work made it into the international scene when he was selected to be one of the exhibitors at the UNESCO Africa week in Paris.
His latest book, “Never a last episode,” was released in 2022 and the novel lay bare on some established cultural beliefs that hold back people from attaining their dreams.
He was born in Mutoko and his portfolio carries a Bachelor of Social Sciences Degree, Diploma in Journalism & Communication, Diploma in English, Masters in International Affairs, Advanced Global Studies (from Sciences Po University Paris, France), in Political Sciences and Migration University Paris .
He has worked with Zimpapers CapitalkFM Radio as a news writer. CEO of Baniar International.
The seemingly media shy Mavura said this year he hopes to come up with more projects to curb substance abuse which has become a major challenge inhibiting development within the youths accross the social strata.
The fourth edition of the ZCN 2023 awards ran under the theme “Healthy and mutually supportive community”
The event was well attended by dignitaries who included senior government officials and captains of industry and respected guests among them Primary and Secondary Education minister Torerai Moyo; Norton former legislator Temba Mliswa; Pastor Ruth Musarurwa; Westprop founder Ken Sharpe, Traverze Travel foundrr Zodwa Mkandla and the Secretary for Presidential Affairs in the Office of the President, Engineer Tafadzwa Muguti, who was the guest of honour.
