Mr. Patrick Mawila, Geographic Representative for Africa

Mr. Patrick Mawila was born and grew in South Africa where he did all his lower education at Rotterdam Village in the Limpopo province. He completed his optometry studies in 2001 with a B.Optom degree from the University of the North, now known as University of Limpopo.

Worked in private practice for six months before establishing own private practice. Has been in private practice for 21 years and have had few successful branches. Beyond optometry he studied Masters of Business Administration (MBA) and is involved in several community and local government activities especially at the level of the Audit Committees.

Patrick has served the profession of optometry in various capacities, notably as the president of the South African Optometric Association (SAOA) in 2014-2016, the president of African Council of Optometry (AFCO) in 2017-2019 and the WCO board of directors in 2017-2019. He also enrolled and completed the WCO Advocacy for Eye Health Course in 2017.

Patrick would like to see the WCO entrenched across the globe and making tangible impact not only to the optometric cadres but the society as a whole. During this tenure of the WCO board Patrick would like to contribute towards a seamless and inclusive global optometry leadership.  The leadership which will capacitate and harmonise the profession to the forefront and into the leading role in the space of eye and vision health. A leadership which advocates for thriving profession which benefits society at large.