A team of 12 students from Selebi-Phikwe represented Botswana at the Destiny Shapers International Summit held in Maseru, Lesotho. The group comprised six learners from Lebogang Junior Secondary School, four from Anderson Primary School, and two from Thabololo Primary School, competing against peers from Namibia and the host nation, Lesotho.
Destiny Shapers is an edutainment platform that engages learners in activities such as debate, mock courtroom sessions, spelling bee, public speaking, TV shows, research, and more.
The Botswana team performed exceptionally well, winning seven gold medals and five silver medals.
In the junior category, five students clinched gold medals:Thato Lekopanye (Public Speaking), Gofiwa Othusitse (TV Show), Thabang Skembeko (Research), Loago Myanza (Talk Show) and Lebogang Botsang (Research).
Among the seniors, Blessing Senokwane and Tshepo Itlhokeng from Anderson Primary also struck gold in TV Reporting and Setswana News Reading, respectively.
Rounding off the impressive medal tally, Thuso Dikgang, Anewa Mbakile, Lepang Machana, Rethabile Mogomela, and Loago Mnake each earned silver medals.
The highlight of the trip belonged to Lebogang JSS’s Thato Lekopanye, who was crowned Youngest Communicator of the Year (Junior Category) for African schools.
The young orator captivated the audience with her poise, eloquence, and confident delivery.
Her coach, Michael Otsogile, was also honoured as Coach of the Season, while Botswana emerged as the overall winner of the summit.
Speaking at the team’s welcome ceremony, The Broadcasters Organisation (TBO) Executive Director, Layani Elias, urged the business community and other stakeholders to partner with educational initiatives like Destiny Shapers to help nurture well-rounded, informed learners.
The next National Destiny Shapers Summit will be hosted in Selebi-Phikwe next year.
