Motswedi Game, a Botswana-based board game, is redefining corporate engagement by integrating Setswana cultural values into business management, team building, and marketing strategies. Founded by Thabiso Titus Paul, the game has grown beyond its initial concept of promoting local knowledge to becoming a tool for corporate training, internal communication, and public relations.
Paul recalls that Motswedi’s first sale took place in November 2021, just months after the concept was finalised in July of the same year. Since then, over 2,000 game sets have been sold to individuals, while private companies and non-governmental organisations have purchased more than 1,000. With a background in education, radio broadcasting, and community engagement, Paul envisioned a board game that would celebrate Botswana’s rich culture, personalities, and indigenous knowledge.
At the heart of Motswedi’s philosophy are the principles of Botho (humanness) and Tshwaragano (unity), values that drive the company’s partnerships and corporate social initiatives. Paul emphasises that Motswedi is more than just a game—it is a platform for mutual growth that contributes to the broader economy. The company has demonstrated this commitment through sponsorships, including Botswana’s first Women in Sports Awards and the inaugural BW Summer Kids Marathon. Recently, Motswedi partnered with Mabogo Dinku Trust to provide educational resources to secondary school students in the SPEDU region, with plans for national expansion.
“Motswedi Game shows that by embedding Setswana values into operations and fostering collaborations among young entrepreneurs, we can drive economic growth and uplift our communities,” Paul says.
The game’s name, Motswedi, translates to “source,” reflecting its role as a reservoir of Botswana’s cultural knowledge. The flagship version, Motswedi wa Dikitso tsa Botswana, serves as a platform for sharing Botswana’s heritage. Recognising the diverse needs of different sectors, Paul and his team have developed specialised editions, including Motswedi wa Thuto for students, Motswedi wa Molao for legal professionals, Motswedi wa Kgwebo for business, Motswedi wa Bojanala for tourism, and Motswedi wa Kgwele ya Dinao for football enthusiasts.
On the International Day of Education, Paul reflected on Motswedi’s impact in the education sector. He acknowledged that while the company has made strides, the rollout of Motswedi wa Thuto has been slower than expected due to limited engagement from key stakeholders in both the private and public sectors.
Beyond education, Motswedi has positioned itself as a leading brand in interactive and collaborative cultural engagement. Its corporate editions have been used by businesses to enhance team building and strategic communication. Companies such as Diamond Trading Company Botswana have customised the game to instill leadership competencies, while Orange Money has leveraged Motswedi for customer engagement. The game also offers a unique marketing opportunity, allowing brands to integrate their messaging seamlessly into gameplay, ensuring deep subconscious engagement with players.
As Paul sees it, Motswedi is more than entertainment—it is a cultural and educational tool that fosters knowledge exchange while strengthening business and community ties.
“By structuring the game to encourage interaction and learning, we create an engaging platform that benefits individuals, businesses, and society as a whole,” he concludes.
