Sponsors’ support propels Botswana’s continental education showcase to success
Kingsley Kuda | Monday June 29, 2026 15:51
Speaking during a Sponsors Appreciation Engagement held in Gaborone on Thursday, BOTEPCO leadership paid tribute to organisations that provided financial, technical and in-kind support towards the successful hosting of the 13th AFTRA Teaching and Learning Conference and 15th Roundtable, held in Botswana last month.
The appreciation event brought together sponsors, development partners, teacher unions, educational institutions, and corporate organisations that contributed to the continental gathering, which attracted delegates from 17 African countries and culminated in the adoption of key resolutions to strengthen the teaching profession across the continent.
In her welcome remarks, BOTEPCO Director of Corporate Services, Ntsholeng Thabana, said the conference's success was a direct result of collective effort and shared commitment amongst stakeholders.
'Our gathering today is more than a report on outcomes and achievements. It is an opportunity to reflect on the lessons learned, celebrate our partnerships and explore how we can continue working together to advance education and professional excellence,' she said.
Thabana noted that whilst BOTEPCO spearheaded the organisation of the conference, sponsors played an indispensable role in transforming the vision into reality through financial contributions, technical expertise, promotional support and logistical assistance.
She said the conference demonstrated the power of collaboration in creating platforms that influence educational policy, strengthen professional standards and promote knowledge exchange among African nations.
BOTEPCO Registrar Dr Raphael Dingalo described the conference as a landmark achievement not only for Botswana but for the AFTRA fraternity as a whole, revealing that the event had received widespread praise from education leaders across the continent. Fresh from attending an international conference of teacher regulatory authorities in South Africa, Dingalo said delegates continued to speak highly of Botswana's hosting of AFTRA.
'Many people could not stop talking about the AFTRA conference in Botswana. They described it as breathtaking and one of the best AFTRA conferences and roundtables ever hosted. That success belongs to all of you who supported us,' he told sponsors.
Dingalo credited stakeholder engagement as a cornerstone of BOTEPCO's operations, saying the council had prioritised consultation and partnership since its establishment. He said the appreciation event itself was a demonstration of the council's commitment to nurturing long-term relationships with stakeholders.
'We believe that showing appreciation strengthens relationships, builds trust and fosters loyalty. This conference is not the last event we will host, and we want our partners to know that we value them and appreciate their contribution,' he said.
The registrar further highlighted several key outcomes emerging from the ministerial communique adopted during the conference. Among the major commitments were efforts to strengthen teacher professionalisation and regulation, improve teacher welfare and retention and accelerate digital transformation in education systems across Africa.
He noted that African education ministers had committed to establishing and strengthening independent teacher regulatory bodies, enhancing teacher licensing frameworks, promoting continuous professional development and improving career progression pathways for educators.
Dingalo also emphasised the growing interest from other African countries seeking to learn from Botswana's teacher regulation model, citing recent engagement by Namibia in establishing its own teaching council framework.
Regarding digital transformation, he revealed that BOTEPCO had entered into partnerships to expand digital learning opportunities for teachers, including collaborations with international organisations and development partners.
Providing a sponsorship update, BOTEPCO Corporate Affairs Manager Mercy Rebaone Thebe said the conference was the result of extensive engagement with stakeholders across multiple sectors, including teacher unions, development partners, universities, colleges, corporations, and financial institutions. She said that while not every engagement resulted in sponsorship, every conversation helped shape the event's success.
'Our message is simple. AFTRA was never just a conference. It was a shared investment in advancing education and strengthening the teaching profession across Africa,' said Thebe.
She revealed that financial sponsorship came from organisations including UNICEF, the Botswana Teachers' Union (BTU) and the Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Union (BOSETU), whilst other partners provided crucial in-kind support ranging from registration systems and transport to hospitality services, branding materials and logistical assistance.
Thebe noted that AFTRA generated significant visibility for sponsors through extensive media coverage, social media engagement, official publications and conference branding opportunities.
She added that the event's impact extended beyond Botswana's borders by enhancing the country's international reputation as a capable host of large-scale continental events. The conference's significance was further elevated by the attendance of President Duma Boko, who officiated at the opening ceremony and was awarded the prestigious AFTRA Medal of Honour in recognition of efforts to uplift the teaching profession.
During the feedback session, sponsors commended BOTEPCO for its professionalism, transparency and stakeholder-centred approach.
Representatives from UNICEF described the conference as a 'game changer', saying Botswana had demonstrated its ability to host world-class educational events and create new opportunities for collaboration. Other partners praised the council's commitment to recognising stakeholders after the event, noting that such engagements strengthened accountability and partnership building. A representative from Leverage Point, which provided the conference registration platform, said the appreciation session reflected BOTEPCO's dedication to maintaining meaningful relationships with its partners.
As part of the event, sponsors received certificates of appreciation in recognition of their contributions towards the successful hosting of AFTRA 2026. Looking ahead, BOTEPCO signalled plans to deepen stakeholder engagement through future initiatives, including educational exhibitions, professional development activities and other programmes aimed at advancing the teaching profession in Botswana.
The event concluded with a renewed commitment from both sponsors and BOTEPCO to continue working together to support quality education, teacher development, and educational transformation across Botswana and the African continent.