Home-grown innovation rises after tender setback
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Wednesday February 4, 2026 09:05
Disheartened by their unsuccessful legal battle, the founder of Tecboe Pty Ltd, Goabaone Mogwe, says they have since moved on to explore other avenues for their Ithute software. The software, Mogwe explained, was developed locally by Tecboe (Pty) Ltd through extensive research, collaboration with educators, and hands-on prototyping. Having moved beyond the tender dispute, Tecboe will launch the software today (Friday) at BAC Lecture Theatre, for home use and private schools, marking a major milestone. The platform is designed as a learner aid that instils confidence and introduces a fresh, engaging approach to education. Mogwe explained that the Ithute program was developed in 2024 in partnership with the Local Enterprise Authority (LEA).
“I think I’m the right person to revolutionise education; using the words of a certain professor, it took someone outside the candle-making to produce a bulb, while the candle makers were busy trying to produce a candle that burns brightest,” he said. “LEA is, by virtue our project sponsor and we embrace BAC’s venue sponsorship. Having had a good relationship with BAC for over a decade as alumni, we commend them for being a part of this launch. The launch is planned to be a one-of-a-kind software launch, where we have invited stakeholders with the capacity to support learning. We have also invited private schools, parents and students. The launch will be a formal release of the software for use,” he added. Mogwe describes Ithute as a modern, locally-developed education software designed to make learning engaging, accessible, and intuitive for learners while simplifying teaching and school administration. The software, he said, caters to Pre-Primary, primary, junior, and senior school levels, supporting both home use and private schools.
The platform brings together learning content, assessments, progress tracking, and school management tools into one seamless digital ecosystem. He stated that at its core, Ithute works by placing the learner at the centre of the experience, giving students access to curriculum-aligned content such as tests, video tutorials, notes and assignments, AI-assisted tutoring, language learning, and interactive activities. Furthermore, he stated that the platform also includes supporting modules like financial literacy, computer skills, career guidance, digital libraries, and fun learning content such as games, comics, and literature. Teachers and parents are able to track learner progress in real time, while schools benefit from simplified administration, reporting, and communication tools, all through an easy-to-use interface that requires minimal computer literacy. “Ithute was built to respond directly to challenges within the education sector, including declining learner engagement, limited access to quality digital tools, and the need for inclusive learning solutions.
Particular attention was given to accessibility, with features such as Grade 1 Braille support and a sign-language avatar, ensuring that learners living with disabilities are not left behind. The platform was designed, tested, and refined using real classroom scenarios to ensure it is practical, intuitive, and scalable,” Mogwe said. He said the planned objective of Ithute is to make learning exciting, modern, and effective, while supporting educators and parents with smart digital tools and cultivate a genuine interest in learning, improve academic performance, and prepare learners for a technology-driven future. More broadly, he added, the platform seeks to contribute to the upliftment of education in Botswana and the SADC region by providing a home-grown, world-class solution that aligns with local curricula, cultural context, and real educational needs. Mogwe said losing the tender award was not only a professional blow but a deeply personal one. He said that after more than a decade of dedication to an education project aimed at empowering Batswana learners, the decision symbolised what many citizens have long lamented: the sidelining of local expertise in favour of external solutions. He said hopes placed in a new, people-centred government appeared shaken, yet the setback became a catalyst rather than an ending.
“I knew I was dead in the water. So I had no option but to fight the award. It was exactly what happens when one’s back is against the wall, the only way out is forward. I was not really fighting, only had the urge to make the people in power see that Batswana deserve a place in the New Canaan,” Mogwe said. Drawing on faith and resilience, the Mogwe likens the experience to biblical lessons of purpose forged through adversity. “Sometimes you need a Judas’ kiss to reach your destiny,” he said, echoing the story of Joseph, whose rise followed betrayal. He said that resolve gave rise to Ithute in its current form.