This is the biography of Paul Mavima, a Zimbabwean academic, politician, and public administrator. He has held various significant roles in government, particularly in education and public service. His career spans academia, politics, and governance.
Early Life and Education
Paul Mavima was born on 25 September 1963 to Gabriel Tranos Mavima and Theresa Mavima.
He began his schooling at Globe and Phoenix School in Kwekwe before relocating to his home area in Gokwe. There, he completed Grade 2 at St. Hugh’s Mazinyo Primary School. He attended Dzvuke Primary School for Grades 3 and 4, finishing his primary education at Mateta Primary School.
For secondary education, Mavhima studied at Amaveni Secondary School in Kwekwe from Form 1 to Form 4. He completed his “A” Levels at Fletcher High School in Gweru.
From 1984 to 1986, Mavima pursued a Bachelor of Science in Political and Administrative Studies at the University of Zimbabwe. He continued his studies at the same institution, enrolling in the inaugural group of the Master of Public Administration programme, which ran part-time from 1987 to 1990.
In 1994, Mavima received a Fulbright Scholarship to study in the United States. He attended Florida State University’s Askew School of Public Administration and Policy, where he earned a Doctorate in Public Administration and Policy in 1999. His doctoral research focused on institutional capacity development in emerging economies, with a concentration on institutions and organisations. Mavima also holds certification as a Financial Planner and has expertise in programme planning, evaluation, and strategic planning.
Paul Mavima Professional Career
Paul Mavima Biography [Image: Facebook]
Mavima began his professional journey in 1987 as an Administration Officer in Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Public Construction and National Housing. The following year, he transitioned to the University of Zimbabwe, where he worked as a Teaching Assistant while pursuing a Master’s degree in Public Administration.
By 1990, he had advanced to the role of Lecturer. During his doctoral studies in the US, he served as a Research and Teaching Fellow in the Askew School of Public Administration and the School of Education.
Between 1996 and 1997, Mavima led a USAID-funded ABEL (Advancing Basic Education and Literacy) project that examined the impact of public-private partnerships on non-formal education in Senegal, Ghana, and Burkina Faso. In 1997, he worked as Associate Research Director on an ADEA (Association for Development of Education in Africa) project focused on Eastern and Southern Africa. The following year, he was part of a Florida State University team that evaluated Florida’s Blueprint Transition Program, designed to help students with disabilities transition from school to community life.
In January 2000, Mavima joined the Office of Public Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA), a legislative body in Florida, as a Policy Analyst. In this capacity, he conducted evaluations of state policies and programs, such as post-secondary workforce development education, to provide insights to lawmakers and the public.
Later in 2000, Mavima became an Assistant Professor at Grand Valley State University in Michigan, teaching in the School of Public and Non-Profit Administration. He was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in 2007 and developed graduate-level courses in public and nonprofit administration.
In 2008, Mavima returned to Zimbabwe and founded Myriad Consulting Services, which he led until March 2009. The firm specialized in program and policy planning, evaluation, strategic planning, and organizational development.
Paul Mavhima Political Career
Paul Mavima Biography [Image: Facebook]
Entry into Politics
Paul Mavima entered Zimbabwean politics during a time of significant national transformation. From 2009 to 2013, he was appointed Principal Director in the Office of Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara. In 2013, Mavima was elected to MP for Gokwe Sengwa Constituency in the National Assembly under ZANU-PF.
Ministerial Roles
Paul Mavima has had a distinguished ministerial career in Zimbabwe. He has served in various capacities, including as the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare (November 2019 – September 2023), Minister of Primary and Secondary Education (December 2017 – November 2019), and Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education (September 2013 – December 2017). He is currently the Minister of Skills Audit and Development.
Paul Mavhima Personal Life
Mavima is married to Nyarai and they have four children: Shingirirai, Michelle, Rumbidzai, and Takunda.
References
- Hon. Prof. Paul Mavima – Millenium@EDU
- Honourable Professor Paul Mavima – MOSAD
- Paul Mavima – Prabook
