We are nurturing the leaders of tomorrow

Lion Tutoring is reshaping education in Botswana. Founded by Edupreneur Thobo Khathola, the company has quickly become essential for students preparing for high-stakes exams. But Khathola’s vision goes beyond academics—he aims to inspire hope, bridge education gaps, and support students on their unique paths to success.

Tutoring in Africa is crucial in bridging gaps in mainstream education. It offers personalised attention that large class sizes in schools often cannot provide. However, access to these services remains uneven, influenced by socioeconomic status and location. In Botswana, where tutoring has become essential for exam preparation, especially for the Botswana General Certificate for Secondary Education (BGCSE) and A-Levels, one organisation stands out—Lion Tutoring.

Founded by Edupreneur Thobo Khathola, Lion Tutoring offers a comprehensive range of services, from primary school to university-level support. Born and raised in Gaborone, Botswana, Khathola is the firstborn of three siblings. Growing up in a Christian home shaped his values and laid the foundation for the family-oriented life he leads today. His drive for excellence was evident early on in high school, where his academic achievements led teachers to allow him to skip classes, recognising that he was ahead of his peers.

During this period, as he worked to keep up with his accelerated studies, he discovered tutoring as a vital support system. At the time, the tutoring landscape in Botswana was not formalised, leading many people from other countries to travel there and tutor students on an informal basis. Khathola’s tutors came from Kenya, renting spaces where students could attend sessions after school hours. This personalised support helped him stay on track, and he successfully sat for his A-Level examinations, achieving the 8th-best grades in his school.

Afterwards, in 2011, Khathola pursued further studies at the University of Pretoria in South Africa, enrolling in Actuarial Science. However, he found the course challenging, and his performance declined. Recognising the need for a change, he switched his focus to Economics and Business Management, where he thrived and eventually graduated. While at the university, he picked up the tutoring idea as a job and applied to the university to tutor students.

Fortunately, he was hired by a tutoring agency in South Africa, where he worked for three years, gaining valuable experience and refining his skills. When his study permit expired, he had to return to Botswana. Back home, Thobo Khathola struggled with unemployment, which prevented him from pursuing his dream job in banking or insurance. Rather than accepting defeat, he seized the opportunity to create his path by tutoring children in his neighbourhood, at schools and in churches, gradually building a reputation for effective teaching.

The Spark

‘I saw a gap in our education system and decided to fill it,’ he says. He emphasises that tutoring was not just about academics; it was about giving people hope. ‘I have seen parents at their wit’s end because their children are struggling,’ he notes, adding that witnessing personal transformations in students and tutors was particularly fulfilling.

This was the beginning of Lion Tutoring, a company he started and fully registered in 2015. Initially working alone, he soon recognised that, as demand increased, additional support became essential. He then hired people who could teach the subjects that he could not, who could assist in talking to the clients and attend to a certain number of students daily.

The tutors are recruited through HR agencies, where job seekers register for employment opportunities. These agencies conduct background checks to verify the necessary experience and screen for criminal records before recommending candidates to tutoring organisations. They also ensure that each tutor holds at least a degree and a Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate in Education, which are mandatory qualifications.

Even individuals with degrees in unrelated fields are encouraged to obtain a Postgraduate Diploma or Certificate in Education to be eligible for consideration. This rigorous vetting process helps ensure the safety and security of the students benefiting from these services. Currently, Khathola employs over three hundred individuals in Botswana and South Africa, offering online and in-person tutoring services to more than two thousand students annually from various countries.

‘We have centres where students can access lessons, but the most common format is one-on-one tutoring at students’ homes and online through our app. Our students come from Botswana, South Africa, Brazil, Italy, and Spain.’ Thanks to technology, the company developed an application connecting tutors with students. By entering their location and specific subject of interest, users can receive recommendations for tutors in their area.

What distinguishes this app from other tutoring platforms is its capability for personalised matching based on subject needs, location, and tutor ratings. Its affordability and accessibility—being free to download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store—have contributed to its popularity across multiple countries. Users can browse tutor profiles, qualifications, experience, and reviews. Much like Netflix, the app follows a monthly subscription model, requiring payment upfront before granting access to lessons.

When a subscription expires, the app sends a reminder and temporarily pauses service until payment is processed. This ensures the company can compensate its workers and maintain the necessary resources for operations. The system also reminds clients when their subscription is due or has ended. Once payment is completed, students are matched with their preferred tutor, who will visit the student’s residence or arrange online sessions. Lessons typically last between 1.5 to 2 hours.

To ensure security and safety, the company conducts background checks on parents and sends administrators to inspect homes and neighbourhoods before assigning a tutor. This process helps identify safe areas and residences, mitigating risks related to potential attacks or trafficking. Additionally, the company is introducing a technological enhancement on the app.

‘We are introducing a feature called the ‘panic button,’ which tutors can press in emergencies and uncomfortable situations. This will immediately notify us, and we will dispatch security to the location,’ he explains. This initiative is designed to protect tutors and students, further enhancing the safety of the learning environment.

Academic Design

Regarding curriculum, the company utilises the Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) and the new Cambridge curriculum known as the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE). The IGCSE is recognised as the world’s most popular international qualification for students aged fourteen to sixteen. Unlike many global platforms that rely heavily on pre-recorded content, Lion Tutoring emphasises in-person sessions and online lessons tailored to each student’s needs.

This flexibility and localised approach—hiring local tutors in each country to provide real-time lessons—distinguishes Lion Tutoring in a market dominated by standardised online courses. By focusing on cultural relevance and personal engagement, the company effectively addresses the unique needs of African students. Its offerings are accessible to all learners at the Advanced level and cater to students from various countries, allowing a tutor from Botswana to support a student from another nation seamlessly.

While Lion Tutoring offers flexible, convenient, and reliable services, it has implemented policies and guidelines to uphold high standards and ensure consistency. The company continuously monitors student progress and gathers customer feedback through Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems. This data-driven approach allows them to adjust lesson plans, training methods, and tutor assignments to better align with students’ needs.

To minimise distractions during lessons, parents are encouraged to refrain from interfering and to return only after sessions. Tutors then provide feedback to parents, enabling them to support their children’s progress effectively. This approach creates a seamless flow in the learning environment, as reflected by the experiences of Coline Dikolobe, a 32-year-old accounting technician and tutor at Lion Tutoring.

Dikolobe discovered her passion for tutoring after receiving additional support as a student. In 2020, she joined Lion Tutoring after seeing an advertisement on Facebook and now teaches Accounting, Business Studies, and Commerce across all academic levels. Each month, she tutors around twenty students through one-on-one sessions, group lessons, and online instruction. The timing between students is flexible, as tutors can create weekly schedules that accommodate their needs and those of the students.

‘Besides helping students improve their grades, we also provide career guidance and address various issues affecting their progress, whether at school, home or with their parents,’ she shares. Over the past four years, her experience has been rewarding, and she has learned a great deal from her students, fellow tutors, and her boss, Thobo Khathola.

As a full-time tutor, she earns around 4,000 Pula (300 USD) monthly, allowing her to support her family. Her primary focus is on Secondary School students, and one of her most inspiring success stories involves a full-time student who had never attended school before. They worked together from the ground up, and now, he is an A student currently studying in the UK. Like her boss, Dikolobe aspires to open her own tutoring company one day.

Scaling Struggles

Khathola outlines some of the challenges Lion Tutoring has faced as a company, particularly the lack of funding in its early stages. He had to rely on his university savings to purchase essential items, pay rent, and hire staff. Now, with more resources available, they are eager to expand and increase their market reach. ‘Our customers are our funders, which is why expanding our customer base is key. Through them, we gain recognition for the exceptional services we provide,’ he says.

Another challenge has been finding the right experienced and passionate individuals who genuinely care for children. Language barriers also pose difficulties, particularly in South Africa, where they adapt by collaborating with local tutors. However, they encourage students to learn and adapt to English, as all exams are conducted in that language.

Despite these challenges, Lion Tutoring has achieved significant milestones. In 2017 and 2018, the company was recognised as the ’Best Youth Business in Botswana,’ and Khathola was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2020. Recently, they received the ‘Education Brand of the Year’ Award from the TTYBrand Africa Awards, further cementing their reputation in the industry. This success is a testament to their team’s dedication.

Additionally, the company has helped reduce youth and female unemployment by providing job opportunities, with most staff members under 35 years and 75 percent being women. They also offer internship opportunities to graduates. Currently, the company is valued at twenty million Pula (two million USD) per month. The company successfully continued tutoring during COVID-19, which not only helped them maintain operations but also attracted more business.

Thobo Khathola takes great pride in the quality of students they produce across various fields, including doctors, lawyers, and pilots—an achievement he cherishes most. One remarkable success story is that of 24-year-old pilot Kris Tarasana. Originally from Zimbabwe, Kris moved to Botswana at 12, where he completed most of his high school education. During his final year in 2018, he encountered challenges at his former school due to inadequate staff, which negatively impacted his education.

In search of better support, he discovered Lion Tutoring International online and switched to tutoring. Kris scheduled extra lessons with tutors after school, focusing on mathematics, English as a first language, geography, and physical science. Through these sessions, he experienced significant improvements in his education and grades, making him feel more valued and prioritised. After a year of dedicated tutoring, he sat for his final exams and excelled.

Following his success, Kris enrolled in the ‘43 Air School’ in South Africa, where he is currently completing his practical flight training. He must accumulate a specific number of flight hours before he can fly commercially. Soon, he will reach that milestone and embark on his career as a commercial pilot. ‘The fees at Lion Tutoring were very reasonable and comparable to the usual fees we paid in school.

‘They were especially fair because the tutor would always travel to my home for the sessions,’ he says. Kris is committed to giving back by tutoring aspiring young pilots. He encourages them to pursue learning methods that genuinely suit their needs, warning against spending years in environments that fall short, as this can lead to long-term consequences.

Digital Edge

Khathola emphasises the significant role of technology in streamlining their operations. It has enabled them to expand into other countries and offer online services. Students can book their tutors and make payments through payment gateways that accommodate various currencies, making it easier for international clients. Additionally, students and parents can review and rate tutors on both the website and the app, fostering a transparent and supportive learning environment.

Through Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, Lion Tutoring has fostered strong relationships with its clients. This allows them to address complaints effectively and provide assistance when needed. They also utilise accounting software to compile financial statements, track forex gains and losses, and monitor overall financial performance. This system ensures that tutors are paid promptly each month. The organisation relies on premium versions of Zoom and Skype to deliver online lessons, but is also developing its internal video conferencing platform for improved functionality.

Full-time tutored students are now qualified to sit for their IGCSE final exams as independent candidates at accredited centres. By leveraging technology, Lion Tutoring ensures that its tutors stay informed about the latest industry changes and trends, enhancing the quality of education. Beyond technology and business growth, Lion Tutoring remains committed to giving back to the community. ‘We have implemented corporate social responsibility initiatives in government schools,’ Khathola explains, highlighting an effort where ten tutors helped raise pass rates from sixty to seventy percent in just four months.

Looking to the future, Khathola envisions Lion Tutoring becoming the leading global brand for personalised quality education, assisting students worldwide. He expresses gratitude for his mentor, South African entrepreneur, investor, and speaker Vusi Thembekwayo, whom he greatly admires. Khathola is also inspired by organisations like Curro Holdings, a prominent listed company in the education sector. It is known for its substantial impact across the African continent through the establishment of schools and its listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

He advises young entrepreneurs entering the education space to cultivate passion, consistency, and patience, as this is a long-term endeavour that demands significant hard work. ‘One day, you will look back and appreciate it. As Africans, we should be recognised for our contributions beyond music and films.’ With this vision for Lion Tutoring, Khathola believes that education entrepreneurs can reshape Africa’s educational landscape through dedication and innovation.

Edited by “Pius Okore”