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When Mothati Kesietswe walked into the University of Botswana (UB) stall in Shakawe on the 24th of April 2026, he was simply looking for information about his future. Like many other young people fresh from receiving their Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) results, he carried with him hope, uncertainty and the quiet determination of someone eager to take the next step in life.

What he did not know was that by the end of that visit, his dream of pursuing higher education would receive an unexpected boost from a complete stranger. Mothati, the last-born in his family and turning 19 years on the 30th of June 2026, had obtained an impressive 44 points in his BGCSE results. With aspirations of studying medicine and building a future in the health profession, he approached the UB admissions roadshow seeking guidance on available programmes and the application process.

The UB team, currently on a nationwide admissions roadshow that has taken them from Tsabong through Kang and Ghanzi was Shakawe to help prospective applicants to ask questions, receive career guidance and apply for programmes on the spot.

Under the vibrant UB gazebos and branded countertops, conversations about dreams, possibilities and academic pathways filled the air. It was there that fate quietly intervened. Among the visitors drawn to the stall was Mr Dhanraj Pondicherry, a visitor from California in the United States of America. In Botswana on an excursion to experience the country’s tourism, culture and people, Mr Pondicherry had been moving through the area taking in the richness of the local landscape and community life.

But it was not only the scenery that caught his attention. He was drawn to the UB stall by its striking branding and lively atmosphere. Curious, he stopped to observe the interactions between staff and prospective students. What he found left a lasting impression.

“The staff were so welcoming and passionate,” he said, adding “I was excited to see how they were engaging with students especially those from remote areas, helping them understand their options and apply for programmes of their choice. It was truly marvellous.”

As he listened to the stories of young applicants, one in particular stood out, Mothati’s. Here was a bright young man with strong academic results, a dream of becoming a doctor and the humility of someone who understood that opportunities must often be fought for. Something about his story resonated deeply. Moved by the encounter, Mr Pondicherry made a spontaneous decision. He offered to sponsor Mothati’s application fee of P250. For Mothati, it was a moment of disbelief.

What had begun as a routine visit to seek university admission advice had turned into a life-affirming encounter with kindness from someone he had never met before. In that moment, the UB stall became more than just an admissions centre. It became a meeting point of generosity, hope and shared humanity.

For Mr Pondicherry, the gesture was simple. “I felt touched,” he said, noting that “supporting an aspiring doctor felt like the right thing to do.”

Yet for Mothati, the significance runs far deeper. It was not just about the P250. It was about being seen, encouraged and reminded that sometimes the world opens doors in the most unexpected ways. The story also reflects the wider purpose of UB’s outreach initiative. By taking admissions services beyond the main campus and into communities across Botswana, the University is ensuring that distance does not become a barrier to opportunity.

In places such as Shakawe where access to direct university engagement can often be limited, the roadshow is doing more than recruiting students. It is restoring possibility. And sometimes, as Mothati discovered, it also creates room for miracles.

Consequently, for one young man in Shakawe, he left with something even greater. A reminder that dreams, when met with compassion, can begin to feel a little closer.