The missing vibe ahead of the World Relays

Mqondisi Dube | Wednesday March 11, 2026 09:09

Yet as the countdown to this historic global event continues, there is a growing sense that more must be done to build atmosphere. The World Relays, scheduled for May 2 to 3 at the National Stadium will bring some of the world’s finest athletes to Botswana for the first time in the nation’s history.

It will also the first time the event will be staged anywhere in Africa, making it a landmark moment not just for Botswana but for the entire continent.

The scale of the event is significant as thousands of international visitors are expected to descend on the capital, offering the country a rare opportunity to showcase its prowess to the world.

But hosting a major global sporting event is about more than preparing stadiums and logistics. It is about creating a national mood that will touch, not only every single Motswana but international visitors as well.

By now, this visibility should be greeting every visitor going through any border gate, from Ramokgwebana to Ramatlabama; from the Philip Matante International Airport to the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport arrivals gate. There must be a visible, contagious energy that tells the world something special is about to happen.

Walk through many parts of Gaborone today and it is still difficult to feel that momentum. Apart from a few announcements and isolated promotional efforts, the city is yet to fully embrace the spectacle that lies just weeks away.

Cities that host global sporting events understand that the experience begins long before spectators enter the stadium. Streets are draped in banners, lamp posts carry the colours of the competition and athletes’ faces appear on billboards. The host city itself becomes a living advertisement for the events and Botswana has the opportunity to do the same.

Imagine your Yango, Deluxe taxis wrapped in World Relays branding, schools hosting relay-themed sports days, and shopping malls all painted with the World Relays logo. Murals celebrating Botswana’s athletics heroes could appear across the city to create a vibrant moment around the competition.

After all, Botswana has every reason to celebrate its sprinting success. The country has steadily grown into a respected force in global athletics, particularly in the sprint and relay disciplines. These achievements have inspired a generation of young athletes and placed Botswana firmly on the international track and field map.

The World Relays represent more than just a sporting competition. They are an opportunity to tell Botswana’s story; a story of talent, ambition and a nation that continues to punch above its weight on the global stage.

Branding shapes how visitors experience a country. When a city fully embraces a global event, it sends a message of excitement.

The world will be watching Gaborone in May. For many viewers, this will be their first glimpse of Botswana. That moment should be fully utilised .

With just weeks remaining, there is still time to turn up the volume and everyone has a role to play in building the vibe.

Because when the baton is passed on the track in May, Botswana should already have passed another baton; one of unforgettable branding.