News

Halfway Toyota Chief Executive Officer, Mr Riaan Grobler, has been announced as the Patron of the 2026 University of Botswana (UB) Marathon, strengthening the partnership between the University and the private sector in advancing sport, health, education and community development.

Mr Grobler was announced as patron during an event held at the UB Council Chamber on the 20th of August 2026, ahead of the fifth edition of the marathon scheduled for the 6th of September 2026 under the theme “Run the UB Marathon – Together We Inspire Excellence.” The marathon has surpassed 5000 registrations, marking significant growth since its establishment in 2022.

Speaking at the event, UB Vice Chancellor, Professor David Norris, said the announcement represented more than the appointment of a patron but reflected a valued partnership built around shared commitments to health, wellness, community engagement and national development. Professor Norris said such collaborations enabled the University to extend its impact beyond the classroom and strengthen the communities it served.

Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, Dr Olefile Molwane, who is also Local Organising Committee member (LOC), said the relationship with Halfway Toyota extended beyond the marathon, noting that the company had provided work-based learning opportunities to UB students particularly in the Faculties of Law and Business and Engineering and the Built Environment. Dr Molwane said the partnership provided a strong foundation for further collaboration in skills development and graduate employability.

In accepting the role, Mr Grobler expressed appreciation to the University and reaffirmed Halfway Toyota's commitment to initiatives that contributed to community development and wellbeing. He said the company was providing three (3) vehicles to support the marathon's operational and logistical requirements including a lead vehicle on race day.

Mr Grobler said Halfway Toyota viewed its involvement as the beginning of a broader and lasting relationship with UB, with opportunities to explore additional areas of collaboration beyond the marathon.

Deputy Vice Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, Professor Maria Nnyepi, thanked Halfway Toyota and other partners for their support, noting that the sponsored vehicles would contribute to effective route management and event logistics.

Professor Nnyepi also highlighted the marathon's contribution to education, noting that proceeds from the event supported scholarships for UB students pursuing Master's degrees, helping to advance postgraduate research addressing national priorities and local challenges.

The 2026 UB Marathon continues to bring together sport, health, education, research and community development while creating opportunities for meaningful partnerships between the University, industry and wider society.