Founded on passion, resilience, and the belief that education should never be a privilege of the few, Sauced Brains Academy (SBA) is redefining academic support in Botswana. What began as a voluntary tutoring initiative is now a fully-fledged institution that is steadily carving out its place as one of the most impactful grassroots education projects in the country.
At the heart of SBA, is its founder and Managing Director, Thapelo Jacob Laelang, whose journey from volunteer tutor to education entrepreneur is as inspiring as it is intentional. Raised under the mentorship of a celebrated headteacher, the late J.B. Legakwa, Laelang was steeped early in the values of discipline, compassion, and community-centered leadership. These roots laid the foundation for his educational mission.
“I started Sauced Brains Academy not just to teach, but to transform,” says Laelang. “There was a clear gap as students in government schools lacked affordable, effective, and consistent academic support, especially outside the classroom. SBA was created to bridge that gap.”
Since its humble beginnings in 2018 (and formal registration in 2022), the Academy has focused on making quality education accessible. It offers tutorials for major academic levels PSLE, JCE,
BGCSE, IGCSE, and even first-year university and has since expanded to full-time schooling and home-schooling support. At just P150 per subject, SBA's pricing model ensures that learning remains within reach for many.
Its innovative approach combines rigorous academic tutoring with mentorship, motivation, and leadership development. “We don’t just teach content. We build confidence, character, and community,” Laelang explains.
Beyond results such as 100 percent pass rates in the 2024 and 2025 cohorts, SBA has left lasting marks on learners’ lives. Alumni have gone on to careers in medicine, law, economics, and engineering, with many returning to give back to the academy.
One standout story is of a learner who, after years of academic underperformance, rose to become a top BGCSE performer under SBA’s care. That student now studies science at university and
volunteers regularly, embodying the Academy’s ethos of giving back.
As SBA’s vision continues to evolve, the academy is implementing the Itekeng Educational Programme, a volunteer-driven initiative targeting junior schools with academic empowerment tools. It is also developing digital learning platforms and recorded tutorials to reach students in rural or under-resourced areas.
Looking ahead, Laelang is eyeing institutional growth: a multi-purpose education centre, a research consultancy, and strategic partnerships through funding avenues like YDF and CEDA.
Currently pursuing a degree in Education at the University of Botswana, Laelang remains hands-on, balancing academic life with his mission to uplift others. “SBA is more than a school. It’s a movement one learner, one story, one success at a time.”
At the heart of SBA, is its founder and Managing Director, Thapelo Jacob Laelang, whose journey from volunteer tutor to education entrepreneur is as inspiring as it is intentional. Raised under the mentorship of a celebrated headteacher, the late J.B. Legakwa, Laelang was steeped early in the values of discipline, compassion, and community-centered leadership. These roots laid the foundation for his educational mission.
“I started Sauced Brains Academy not just to teach, but to transform,” says Laelang. “There was a clear gap as students in government schools lacked affordable, effective, and consistent academic support, especially outside the classroom. SBA was created to bridge that gap.”
Since its humble beginnings in 2018 (and formal registration in 2022), the Academy has focused on making quality education accessible. It offers tutorials for major academic levels PSLE, JCE,
BGCSE, IGCSE, and even first-year university and has since expanded to full-time schooling and home-schooling support. At just P150 per subject, SBA's pricing model ensures that learning remains within reach for many.
Its innovative approach combines rigorous academic tutoring with mentorship, motivation, and leadership development. “We don’t just teach content. We build confidence, character, and community,” Laelang explains.
Beyond results such as 100 percent pass rates in the 2024 and 2025 cohorts, SBA has left lasting marks on learners’ lives. Alumni have gone on to careers in medicine, law, economics, and engineering, with many returning to give back to the academy.
One standout story is of a learner who, after years of academic underperformance, rose to become a top BGCSE performer under SBA’s care. That student now studies science at university and
volunteers regularly, embodying the Academy’s ethos of giving back.
As SBA’s vision continues to evolve, the academy is implementing the Itekeng Educational Programme, a volunteer-driven initiative targeting junior schools with academic empowerment tools. It is also developing digital learning platforms and recorded tutorials to reach students in rural or under-resourced areas.
Looking ahead, Laelang is eyeing institutional growth: a multi-purpose education centre, a research consultancy, and strategic partnerships through funding avenues like YDF and CEDA.
Currently pursuing a degree in Education at the University of Botswana, Laelang remains hands-on, balancing academic life with his mission to uplift others. “SBA is more than a school. It’s a movement one learner, one story, one success at a time.”
