DRIVEN by his quest to see an educated nation, Moses Mavhaire, a lawyer and outspoken opposition activist, has long been a thorn in the side of the political establishment.
Born and raised in Masvingo Central, Mavhaire knew all too well the struggles of the rural poor.
His journey with friends from underprivileged backgrounds to becoming a leader of the opposition was fuelled by a deep desire to create a more just society.
While he is known for advocacy work, Mavhaire believes true change starts with education.
The schools in his home district were among the most underfunded in the country.
Children had lessons in crumbling classrooms, using outdated textbooks handed down through generations.
Many families could not afford school fees, let alone proper learning materials.
Mavhaire, who contested as a Member of Parliament in the constituency for two consecutive terms, could not stand idly while the next generation was being left behind.
In 2024, Mavhaire decided to take action.
While he continued to push for political reforms, he turned his focus to a local initiative close to his heart: Providing books for underprivileged children of Masvingo Central.
Partnering a few trusted allies and using funds from his own pocket, he began the “Donate a book” campaign.
When news of his book donation drive spread, it sparked a mixture of hope and scepticism.
Some supporters hailed the gesture as proof of his commitment to the people, while critics viewed it as a political stunt.
But for Mavhaire, this was not about politics — it was about giving under-privileged children the tools they need to rise out of poverty.
The book campaign has so far distributed 5 000 books, 1 000 pens and 1 000 pencils to more 400 children across Masvingo Central constituency.
In an interview with NewsDay, Mavhaire said the response to the campaign had been overwhelming.
“We have managed to distribute 5 000 books, 1 000 pens and 1 000 pencils to over 400 children across Masvingo Central constituency. At least 10 underprivileged children from each of the 52 primary schools have benefited from the campaign,” he said.
“Growing up, government used to provide every child new books, but it has become a thing of the past. Many children use one book for all their subjects because of poverty.
“This initiative has come to help those in need because they are the future generation of lawyers, doctors and leaders. The power of education is the greatest tool for change and I believe every child, no matter their background, deserves a chance.”
Mavhaire’s initiatives resonated with the community, which saw him as not being just an opposition leader in name but a true champion of its cause.
“I am really grateful to this initiative. With such initiatives, we get encouraged to pursue our dreams and I believe that my dream of becoming a doctor will come true,” a pupil from Mandere Primary School in Masvingo said.
While his political battles rage on, Mavhaire’s campaign is a reminder that small acts of kindness can make a world of difference and that real leadership is measured by one’s ability to uplift the most vulnerable in society.
The “Donate a Book” campaign is an ongoing initiative and is expected to expand so that he can donate to secondary schools.