Karata Events eyes ticketing revolution
Kabelo Boranabi | Tuesday July 7, 2026 11:26
Speaking to BusinessMonitor, Karata Events managing director, Tseme Tseme, said the platform was born out of frustration after repeatedly seeing organisers lose money and credibility because of duplicated paper tickets and outdated systems.
'Organisers would spend months preparing for an event only for things to fall apart at the gate because someone had duplicated a printed ticket. By the time genuine ticket holders were turned away, it was already too late,' he said. To address this, Karata issues digital tickets stored in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet with QR codes that automatically change every 30 seconds, making screenshots and printed copies useless. Once a ticket is scanned, it is instantly marked as used across all devices, eliminating duplicate entry even at multiple gates.
Tseme said the platform goes beyond ticket sales by providing organisers with a complete event management solution. Users can manage staff, scan tickets using any smartphone, sell tickets at on-site kiosks, track VIP and complimentary ticket redemptions, send automated reminders before events and access detailed attendance and revenue reports once the event ends. He added that one of Karata's biggest advantages is its payment model. Organisers using their own payment gateways such as Orange Money, MyZaka, or banks receive ticket revenue directly into their accounts as tickets are sold, instead of waiting days or weeks for payouts.
'You take all the risk organising the event, so it makes sense that the money should go straight into your account. We simply take our commission and stay out of your cash flow,' he said. For customers, Tseme said the platform offers greater convenience and confidence. Tickets work even without an internet connection, update automatically if event details change, and can be transferred securely between users.
Karata has initially focused on the entertainment sector, successfully managing ticketing for the Grand Palm Tea Affair and a '70s and '80s themed event that attracted 900 patrons after the first event hosted 120 guests. The company has since expanded into memberships and hospitality through digital membership cards and NFC technology, whilst sports remains part of its expansion plans.
Tseme believes modern ticketing infrastructure will help professionalise Botswana's sports, entertainment and creative industries by giving organisers reliable audience data, accurate financial reporting, and stronger engagement with customers long after an event has ended.
Looking ahead, Karata plans to expand into Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa, with Tseme envisioning the platform becoming the backbone of live experiences across the region.
'Ticketing is where we start, but our vision is to provide everything organisers need, from payments and communications to memberships, reporting and event management, all in one platform built for Africa,' he said.