Botswana High Commission, Canberra, Australia

31/08/2026

The High Commissioner Engages Edith Cowan University and Edith Cowan College in Perth

On 31 August 2026, His Excellency Dr Jonathan Thuto Mahlanza, High Commissioner of Botswana to Australia met with the management of the Faculty of Engineering at Edith Cowan University in Perth.

The discussions explored opportunities for collaboration in science, technology, and research, as Botswana continues to advance innovation and diversify its economy. Edith Cowan University’s School of Engineering staff include Douglas Chai, Professor Wei Ni, and Dr Marija Petrovska.

His Excellency also toured the engineering and renewable energy laboratories to appreciate the expertise, training facilities, and infrastructure available at ECU.

In a separate engagement, the High Commissioner met with Edith Cowan College management and the Botswana students to discuss their academic progress and welfare. The College offers a pathway programme for Botswana students who are on scholarships and bursaries from the Botswana National Sports Commission.

The engagements also touched on scholarships, exchange programmes, and sports development, reflecting Botswana’s commitment to building practical partnerships that support education, skills development, and long-term cooperation.

24/08/2026

To All Batswana in Western Australia!!!!

13/08/2026

Promoting sports diplomacy! Australia is hosting Netball World Cup in Sydney 2027! The Mission continues to explore collaboration and cooperation with netballing nations like Australia!

Last night at the Government House, I had the opportunity to have a chat with Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, Governor - General of the Commonwealth of Australia at the event celebrating 1 year to go until the Netball World Cup Sydney 2027. The event provided an opportunity to hear from...

11/08/2026

H.E DR. JONATHAN THUTO MAHLANZA PARTICIPATES AT THE 2026 VICTORIAN BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS GALA

At the invitation from the President of The Asian Business Association of Whitehorse Inc. (ABAW), H.E Dr. Jonathan Thuto Mahlanza attended the 2026 Victorian Business Excellence Awards Gala held on the 8 August 2026 in Melbourne, Australia.

The Gala Dinner brought together distinguished guests, community leaders, government representatives, entrepreneurs, and business professionals, offering an excellent opportunity to foster meaningful business networks, and explore avenues for collaboration.

The attendance of the Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon. Anthony Albanese MP, further underscored the significance of the Gala as an important platform for engagement among senior government representatives, business leaders, entrepreneurs and other key stakeholders.

In delivering his remarks, the High Commissioner highlighted Botswana's favourable investment climate, economic diversification agenda, and the growing opportunities for collaboration between Botswana and Australia in sectors such as mining, agriculture, renewable energy, education, tourism, financial services, and innovation.

The High Commissioner's participation also contributed to strengthening people-to-people and business-to-business linkages between Botswana and Australia, while providing an opportunity to promote Botswana’s economic and investment interests to a diverse audience of Victorian business and community leaders.

20/07/2026

MELBOURNE, 18 July 2026 – The Botswana High Commission in Canberra convened a productive engagement session with Batswana residing in the State of Victoria, Australia, including students, professionals and long‑term residents.

Addressing the diaspora, His Excellency Dr Jonathan Thuto Mahlanza, High Commissioner of Botswana to Australia, underscored the importance of sustained engagement with citizens abroad. He highlighted the consular services provided by the High Commission and outlined key Government policies and programmes such as the Diaspora Engagement Policy and the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme (BTEP), noting the vital role that Batswana in the diaspora play in Botswana's social, political and economic development.

The High Commissioner encouraged all Batswana in Australia to register with the High Commission so that the Mission can better support them, help keep national documents such as passports, national identity cards, and birth and marriage certificates valid and safe, share important updates and events, and facilitate participation in national initiatives.

The High Commission extends its appreciation to the Botswana Australia Victoria Association (BAVA), Botswana's Honorary Consul in Victoria, Ms Heddie Goldberg, and all members of the community who attended, shared their experiences and contributed ideas. Such engagement is a key and necessary part of the High Commission's work, and we look forward to continued collaboration with Batswana across Australia.

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Register via email at [email protected] and follow this page for updates on future events, consular information and opportunities to contribute to national initiatives.

of International Relations, Botswana

19/07/2026

PUBLIC NOTICE

Please note that the High Commission will be closed on Monday, 20 and Tuesday, 21 July 2026, to observe President's Day holidays in Botswana.

The High Commission will resume operations on Wednesday, 22 July 2026.

Thank you.

18/07/2026

H. E DR. JONATHAN THUTO MAHLANZA DELIVERS A PUBLIC LECTURE AT THE ANNUAL 9TH NELSON MANDELA LECTURE IN MELBOURNE, VICTORIA

On 17 July 2026, the High Commissioner of the Republic of Botswana to Australia, His Excellency Dr Jonathan Thuto Mahlanza, delivered the keynote address at the annual 9th Nelson Mandela Lecture in Melbourne.

The lecture was hosted by Nelson Mandela Day Australia Inc in partnership with RMIT University’s College of Business and Law, through the Centre for African Engagement. The event brought together representatives of academic institutions, government and diplomatic missions, the African diaspora, and Botswana’s Honorary Consul in Victoria, Ms Heddie Goldberg, reflecting strong community and institutional support for Mandela’s enduring legacy.

The lecture underscored the ideals and legacy of South Africa’s former President, Nelson Mandela, whose principles of justice, peace, truth and reconciliation continue to serve as a global reference point for advancing humanity and promoting inclusive societies.

Speakers from Nelson Mandela Day Australia Inc and RMIT University — including Dr Nthati Rametse, President of Nelson Mandela Day Australia Inc; Professor Mathews Nkhoma, Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Strategy – International Engagement); and Professor Victor Gekara, Co‑Director of RMIT’s College of Business and Law Centre for African Engagement — highlighted the crucial role of universities, research centres and government institutions in advancing the United Nations‑declared Decade of Nelson Mandela and embedding Mandela’s values in teaching, policy and public discourse.

The participation of the High Commission of Botswana to Australia at the lecture demonstrated Botswana’s commitment to dialogue for peace and the promotion of multilateral cooperation. In his keynote, High Commissioner Mahlanza underscored the important role of governments in fostering inclusive dialogue, supporting conflict prevention, and building collaborative partnerships to advance the UN Decade for Peace and related global initiatives.

The event provided an opportunity to reaffirm Botswana’s support for African–Australia engagement and to strengthen linkages across diplomatic, academic and community stakeholders in support of shared values of peace, justice and human dignity.

14/07/2026

The High Commission of the Republic of Botswana in Canberra is honoured to support the 9th Nelson Mandela Lecture, to be held on Friday, 17 July 2026, at RMIT University in Melbourne, as part of the Ubuntu Conversations Series.

This distinguished event will feature His Excellency Dr Jonathan Thuto Mahlanza, High Commissioner of the Republic of Botswana to the Commonwealth of Australia, together with esteemed panellists and moderator Dr Charles Mphande. The lecture will provide a meaningful platform for reflection on Nelson Mandela’s enduring legacy, the values of Ubuntu, and the shared commitment to humanity, dialogue, and service.

The High Commission warmly invites partners, friends, and members of the community to join this important commemoration of Nelson Mandela Day.

14/07/2026

Important Notice to Batswana in Victoria:

Registration Deadline is Today by End of Business