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Richard Maveneka-high crop

Mr. Richard Maveneka, AFCO Regional Representative

Mr. Maveneka is the founder and Managing Director of Link Optical (Pvt) Ltd. He is a qualified Optometrist with over a decade experience. He holds a Bachelor of Optometry Honours Degree from the University of Limpopo, a Certificate in Diagnostics, as well as an Australian Accreditation Board Certification in International Contact Lens prescribing. He is currently studying towards a MSc in Strategic Management and Marketing Leadership with the University of Law, De Broc school of Business. Richard began his career with Opticare Opticians Pvt Ltd in 2004 to 2008. Thereafter, he founded Link Optical Pvt Ltd.

In addition, he has also served in various professional bodies. Mr. Maveneka was a member of the 2016 AFCO task Force appointed in Durban in October 2016 for the realignment or restructuring of AFCO. Currently, Mr. Maveneka is the President of the Zimbabwe Optometric Association and the President for the African Council of Optometry. He is also a member of the Education and Liason committee of the Pharmacist Council of Zimbabwe – a committee responsible for monitoring and accreditation of Pharmacies and Pharmacy Technicians. As a member of the Pharmacists Council of Zimbabwe, Education and Liaison Committee is also responsible for the evaluation and regulation of continuous professional development activities and the running of Professional Qualifying examinations for new registrants in Pharmacy, Optometry, Optical dispenses and hearing aid specialists. Mr. Maveneka is also involved in the inaugural Schools of Optometry in Zimbabwe.

His passion for social responsibility activities through the provision of quality eye care services started in 2008, when he started two programmes where vulnerable children receive HIV treatment at Newlands clinic every Wednesday from 8:00 am to 11.00 am. Additionally, Mr. Maveneka conducted pro bono eyecare visits for the needy two days per month at the Chipinge Rural District hospital. In addition, Mr. Maveneka equipped the eye unit of the Chipinge Rural District hospital with a diagnostic set, trial lenses and trial frames, V.A charts and further training of the resident Ophtalmic nurse in refraction, refractive error and management of eye conditions.