- Tsaone Segaetsho
Building a successful private educational institution requires more than a vision. It demands resilience, access to funding, operational efficiency and trusted partnerships that can support growth over the long term.
For Adelaide Primary School in Serowe, that journey has spanned more than two decades, transforming a dream rooted in faith and community development into an established institution that has educated generations of young Batswana.
Behind this success story lies a long-standing partnership with Absa Bank Botswana, a relationship that has evolved alongside the school’s growth and supported its ambition to deliver quality education while expanding its operations.
The school was founded by Keabetswe Tshemedi following his retirement. Guided by Christian principles, he sought to create a project that would positively impact people’s lives, identifying education as the ideal vehicle for achieving that goal.
Turning the vision into reality, however, was not without challenges.
Securing a licence from the Ministry of Education, getting land and accessing funding proved to be a demanding process. At the time, there was considerable scepticism towards new private schools, particularly those not backed by established institutions. Yet Tshemedi remained committed to his vision and, after years of perseverance, Adelaide Primary School received its operating licence in March 1998.
The journey to secure land was equally challenging. After several unsuccessful attempts, Tshemedi identified a site in Dinokwane Ward. Although the proposal was initially rejected, persistence eventually paid off when the Serowe Land Board later allocated the very piece of land he had originally proposed. Today, the school stands on that site as a testament to determination and belief in a long-term vision.
While initial funding support came through the National Development Bank, the school established its commercial banking relationship with Barclays Bank Botswana, now Absa Bank Botswana, around 1999.
More than 25 years later, that relationship remains intact.
What began as a simple business banking arrangement has developed into a partnership that has supported the school’s operational growth, infrastructure development and long-term sustainability.
One of the most significant contributions has been the bank’s role in helping modernise the school’s financial operations.
In its early years, payroll administration involved manually preparing dozens of cheques for staff and suppliers every month. As the institution grew, this process became increasingly time-consuming and inefficient.
The introduction of electronic banking transformed the way the school managed its finances.
Initially, payroll information was submitted directly to the bank for processing. As technology evolved, Adelaide Primary School transitioned to online banking platforms that provided greater efficiency, convenience and control over its financial operations.
Today, the school’s management uses Absa Access to monitor accounts, administer payments and access real-time financial information. The platform has streamlined accounting processes, improved transaction visibility and enabled faster decision-making.
For an institution managing multiple operational responsibilities, the ability to access accurate financial information in real time has become an important driver of efficiency.
Beyond digital banking, Absa has also played a key role in supporting the school’s physical expansion.
One notable example is the financing provided for learner transport vehicles, including Volkswagen Crafter buses and Toyota Quantum minibuses. These investments allowed the school to provide reliable, branded transport services for learners, reinforcing trust among parents while improving convenience and safety.
The transport fleet became an important extension of the school’s service offering and contributed to strengthening its reputation within the community.
More recently, following a visit to the school, Absa provided additional financial support to assist with infrastructure improvements and the next phase of campus development.
Such support reflects a banking relationship that extends beyond day-to-day transactions and focuses on helping institutions achieve long-term growth objectives.
The partnership has also supported Adelaide Primary School’s efforts to modernise its payment systems.
When the school adopted a no-cash policy to improve security and efficiency, Absa assisted by providing point-of-sale facilities that enabled electronic payments. This transition improved financial controls, enhanced convenience for parents and aligned the institution with modern payment practices.
Beyond financial products and services, the school credits Absa with contributing to its broader business development.
Through workshops and business engagement platforms organised by the bank, school management has gained access to networking opportunities, industry insights and connections with suppliers and service providers.
These engagements have provided valuable opportunities to learn from other businesses while identifying partnerships that support the school’s ongoing development.
The bank’s involvement has also extended into the educational environment itself through sponsorship of academic awards that recognise learner achievement and excellence.
For Adelaide Primary School, these initiatives demonstrate a commitment to supporting not only businesses but also the communities they serve.
The school further highlights the value of Absa’s unsecured business loan facility, which provides access to funding when unexpected opportunities or operational requirements arise.
Such flexibility has strengthened the institution’s resilience by ensuring that management can respond quickly to changing circumstances without disrupting daily operations.
The story of Adelaide Primary School illustrates what can be achieved when entrepreneurial vision is supported by strong partnerships.
From overcoming regulatory hurdles and securing land to expanding infrastructure, modernising operations and educating generations of learners, the institution’s growth journey reflects the importance of having a banking partner that understands long-term development.
For Absa Bank Botswana, the relationship underscores the evolving role of modern banking institutions. Increasingly, businesses require more than transactional services; they need partners that can provide financial solutions, operational support, digital innovation and opportunities for growth.
More than two decades after opening its first account, Adelaide Primary School continues to shape young minds and contribute to community development.
Its journey serves as a powerful example of how vision, perseverance and the right partnerships can create a lasting legacy.
Disclaimer: This article forms part of the “We Get It” campaign, a strategic partnership between The Executive Botswana and Absa Bank Botswana aimed at showcasing the bank’s contribution to entrepreneurship, enterprise development and sustainable business growth across Botswana.
