From 25 to 29 August 2025, the University of Johannesburg’s Faculty of Education, in collaboration with the UJ International Office, embarked on its annual Africa by Bus Tour — this time to the University of Botswana (UB) in Gaborone.
The delegation included 38 final-year BEd and PGCE students specialising in various teaching methodologies, accompanied by four academic staff members and a representative from the International Office. The initiative aimed to foster academic exchange, cultural learning, and regional collaboration while promoting UJ’s vision of developing globally minded African educators.
Building connections across borders
Undertaken entirely by bus, the journey reflected the tour’s spirit of community and discovery. The four-day programme blended cultural immersion, academic dialogue, and practical school experiences.
The visit began with an exploration of Botswana’s heritage at the Bahurutsi Cultural Village, offering students insight into how local traditions are preserved in an increasingly digital world. The academic programme followed at the University of Botswana, where UJ students were paired with UB counterparts to attend lectures and participate in joint seminars.
A highlight for Commerce Education students was a lecture on the Knowledge Base for Effective Teachers, which deepened their understanding of pedagogical content knowledge (PCK). Other academic sessions featured UJ presenters discussing Values Education, Social-Emotional Learning in Physical Education, Computational Thinking in Mathematics, and Technology in Documenting Indigenous Knowledge for Geography Teaching.
According to Prof. Nazreen Dasoo, Head of the Department of Education and Curriculum Studies:
“The Africa by Bus tour provided staff and students with an unforgettable immersion into Botswana’s cultural heritage and academic landscape. Our engagement with the University of Botswana offered invaluable insights into their unique approaches to teacher education.”
Shared learning, shared growth
Students visited three secondary schools in Gaborone, observing classroom practices and learning how Moral Education is integrated into Botswana’s national curriculum. Physical Education students experienced firsthand how sport can transcend language and culture through a friendly netball match with local learners.
Reflecting on the trip, Ms Lebogang Msiza, Assistant Lecturer in Physical Education, noted:
“PE teachers are not just teaching physical skills; they are helping shape students’ emotional, social, and behavioural development. Every class is a chance to build resilience, empathy, and confidence.”
Mr Lwazi Mkhwebane, PhD student and assistant lecturer, added:
“Journeying through Botswana reminded me that learning doesn’t only happen in lecture halls — it lives in the landscapes, cultures, and connections we experience together.”
Towards lasting collaboration
The visit also strengthened institutional ties between UJ and UB. Dr H. Agumba, Senior Lecturer at UJ, reflected on the professional dialogue that emerged:
“Our discussions on teaching in overcrowded classrooms using digital tools like Slido and Padlet sparked new ideas. We’re already exploring a collaborative research project to study their effectiveness across contexts — a direct outcome of this tour.”
Encouraged by the success of the engagement, both institutions have begun the process of formalising a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance future academic collaboration, research, and curriculum development.
