The DBE participated in the Africa Federation of Teaching Regulatory Authorities (AFTRA) Conference held in Gaborone, Botswana, from 5 to 8 May 2026, hosted by the Professional Teachers' Council under Botswana's Ministry of Basic Education.

The Conference brought together Ministers of Education, teacher regulatory authorities, education experts, teachers, unions, academics and international partners from across the African continent. The DBE delegation was led by Acting Deputy Director-General, Mr Enoch Rabotapi, accompanied by Director for Initial Teacher Education, Ms Lala Maje and Ms Gaelebale Mahumapelo from the Continuous Professional Teacher Development Directorate.

Two distinguished National Teaching Awards winners formed part of the delegation: Dr Ditshego Tlhowe from the North West Province and Mr Sizwe Zwane from KwaZulu-Natal were recognised as AFTRA Fellows. Ms Ntombozuko Mkizwana from the Eastern Cape Province was honoured as the 2025 African Union winner. The South African Council for Educators (SACE) also participated actively in the conference proceedings as South Africa's statutory teacher regulatory authority and a key AFTRA member.

The conference focused on teacher professionalism, regulation, ethics, continuous professional development, teacher mobility, and improving education quality across the continent. On the opening day, Ministers of Education from nine African countries attended a Ministerial Dialogue, concluding with the signing of a communiqué committing participating countries to strengthening teacher regulation, professionalisation and education transformation across Africa.

South Africa's participation reaffirms its commitment to strengthening the teaching profession and promoting continental collaboration on teacher education and development. The recognition of Dr Tlhowe, Mr Zwane and Ms Mkizwana at continental level further demonstrated the quality of South African educators and the impact of the National Teaching Awards in recognising excellence within the profession.