Partner guide · パートナーガイド

Afurotaku Cosplay: SYLA

Afurotaku is a podcast about the life of an African otaku, and we host events for the community in Gaborone. Cosplay SYLA (“So, you like anime”) is our flagship: a day of cosplay, craft, games and food, run as a nonprofit community event where admission covers the costs of the day.

Date: Saturday, November 28, 2026
Hours: 09:00 to 17:00
Venue: Botswana National Youth Council (BNYC) facility, Gaborone
Admission: BWP 20
Who it is for: All ages and families. Children under 13 come with a parent or guardian.

Track record · 実績

What we have delivered

500+Attendees at the SYLA Spring Festival, March 2026

16Exhibitors at the SYLA Spring Festival, March 2026

2Community events hosted

277Event photos in our gallery

2025Our first cosplay event

2021On air since March 2021

On the day · 当日

What happens at Cosplay SYLA

The cosplay showcaseEvery registered cosplayer parades, then takes the stage. Junior (12 and under) and Open (13 and over) sections each place first to third. Judges' points and audience phone votes decide.

Market dayAfter the awards the hall opens up: art, craft and animation from local creatives, merch stalls, vendors and food.

The open floorAnime trivia and debates, live drawing, community gaming, photo stations and a magazine cover style photo area.

Our partners on the day are the Embassy of Japan in Botswana, Animaniacs Botswana and Modern Majesty, with partner booths on the floor.

Run of the day · 当日の流れ

The day, in order

Five parts, in a fixed order. Exact clock times are set closer to the day.

1
Arrival and atmosphere
From doors open, 9:00
Ticket check outside on the parking side. The Embassy of Japan in Botswana and Animaniacs Botswana welcome visitors at their partner booths from doors open. Cosplayers mingle on the floor and audience voting opens on phones.
2
Main hall programme
The first two to three hours, with everyone watching together
Opening ceremony, performances, an icebreaker and the ramen eating contest. Performers are planned, not yet confirmed.
3
Cosplay showcase
The heart of the day
Judges are introduced, every registered cosplayer parades, then each takes the stage on their own. Voting closes at the end.
4
Awards
Straight after the showcase
Winners are announced in the Junior and Open sections.
5
Open floor
After the awards until closing, 17:00 or later
The hall opens to everything: stalls and Artist Alley, community gaming run by Afuro Knights Esports, live drawing by the Manga and Novelty Club, anime trivia and debates, and photo stations. Food is sold outside by the corridor all day. People come and go as they please.

The venue · 会場

Where things are

Entrance wallPartner booths: the Embassy of Japan in Botswana, Animaniacs Botswana, Modern Majesty, the Podcast, and the Manga and Novelty Club.

Main stageAlong the end wall, with the cosplay staging beside it, the judges' table and the parade lane in front.

Open floorStalls in the middle of the hall, spread out so visitors can walk between them.

Corridor wallThe photo corner, the memories box, community gaming and open spaces.

Food areaLocated outside along the corridor, where food is prepared and sold. We welcome a variety of food vendors, but pork is not permitted at any stall.

Toilets and drinking waterPortable toilets and drinking water for visitors.

See more · もっと見る