2 Pula 1976, Botswana
| in Krause book | Number: 2a |
| Years of issue: | 23.08.1976 |
| Edition: | |
| Signatures: | Minister of finance: Hon. Sir Quett Ketumile Jonny Masire (in office 1967-1980), Governor: Mr. Quill Hermans |
| Serie: | 1976 Issue |
| Specimen of: | 1974 |
| Material: | Cotton fiber |
| Size (mm): | 128 x 64 |
| Printer: | TDLR (Thomas de la Rue & Company), London |
* All pictures marked 
are increased partially by magnifying glass, the remaining open in full size by clicking on the image.
** The word "Specimen" is present only on some of electronic pictures, in accordance with banknote images publication rules of appropriate banks.
Description
Watermark:
Rearing zebra.
The image taken from the Logo of Bank of Botswana.
Avers:
The first president of Botswana Sir Seretse Khama.
The engraving, probably, is made after this photo (mirror view). Exact date of the photo is unknown.
Sir Seretse Goitsebeng Maphiri Khama, KBE (1 July 1921 – 13 July 1980) was the first president of Botswana. Born into one of the more powerful of the royal families of what was then the British Protectorate of Bechuanaland, and educated abroad in neighbouring South Africa and in the United Kingdom, he returned home with a popular, but controversial bride - to lead his country's independence movement. He founded the Botswana Democratic Party in 1962 and became Prime Minister in 1965. In 1966, Botswana gained independence and Khama became its first president. During his presidency, the country underwent rapid economic and social progress.
At the time of its independence in 1966, Botswana was the world's third-poorest country, even poorer than most other African countries. Its infrastructure was poor, with only 12 kilometers of paved roads, and it was highly uneducated, with only 22 university graduates and 100 secondary school graduates. Khama set out on a vigorous economic program intended to transform it into an export-based economy, built around beef, copper and diamonds. The 1967 discovery of Orapa’s diamond deposits aided this program. However, other African countries have had abundant resources and still proved poor. Khama instituted strong measures against corruption, the bane of so many other newly independent African nations. Unlike other countries in Africa, his administration adopted market-friendly policies to foster economic development. Khama promised low and stable taxes to mining companies, liberalized trade, and increased personal freedoms. He maintained low marginal income tax rates to deter tax evasion and corruption. He upheld liberal democracy and non-racism in the midst of a region embroiled in civil war, racial enmity and corruption. The small public service was transformed into an efficient and relatively corruption-free bureaucracy with workers hired based on merit. Calls to immediately "indigenize" the bureaucracy were resisted, with foreign expatriates working in the bureaucracy retained until suitably qualified locals could be found to replace them, and with international advisers and consultants freely used. Mining companies were encouraged to search the country for more resources, leading to the discovery of additional copper, nickel, and coal deposits.
Between 1966 and 1980 Botswana had the fastest growing economy in the world. This growth was primarily driven by mining, and the government moved to secure itself greater revenue. The customs union between Botswana and South Africa was renegotiated in 1969, with the government of Botswana securing for itself a greater share of the mining revenue, and in 1975, once it became clear how productive these mines were, the government again renegotiated the diamond mining agreement to guarantee itself 50% of the revenues. By the mid-1970s, Botswana had a budget surplus. The government used these revenues to heavily invest the expansion of infrastructure, health care, and the education system, resulting in further economic development. In particular, the government invested in other sources of economic growth. The cattle industry was heavily subsidized, with the government nationalizing the country's lone slaughterhouse and building two more, heavily subsidizing veterinary services, vaccines, and cattle fence construction, and setting up the Botswana Meat Commission as the sole seller of beef in the country, setting prices and selling beef to regional and international markets. With Khama's direct intervention, it negotiated a lucrative trade deal with the European Economic Community, gaining prices far above world levels. The Botswana Development Corporation was established in 1970 to attract foreign investment in crop agriculture, tourism, and secondary industries. In 1976, the Botswana pula was introduced, replacing the South African rand as the national currency.
Due to Khama's dedication to development, very little was spent on defense, and a small military police force was initially formed in place of an army. However, following repeated incursions by South African and Rhodesian forces, the Botswana Defence Force was formed in 1977 as a small professional military.
On the foreign policy front, Khama exercised careful politics and did not allow militant groups to operate from within Botswana. According to Richard Dale "The Khama government had authority to do so by virtue of the 1963 Prevention of Violence Abroad act, and a week after independence, Sir Seretse Khama announced before the National Assembly his government’s policy to insure that Botswana would not become a base of operations for attacking any neighbour". Shortly before his death, Khama would play major roles in negotiating the end of the Rhodesian civil war and the resulting creation and independence of Zimbabwe, and the creation of the Southern African Development Co-ordination Conference.
For a number of years leading up to his death, Khama's health deteriorated. He suffered from heart and kidney ailments, and developed diabetes. In 1976, he underwent a heart operation to install a pacemaker in Johannesburg, and from then on, frequently flew to London for medical treatment. In June 1980, he flew to London, where doctors diagnosed him with fatal pancreatic cancer, and he was flown home after it was determined that nothing could be done to cure it.
On 13 July 1980, Khama died of pancreatic cancer at age 59. 
In top right corner is the coat of arms of Botswana.
The coat of arms of Botswana was adopted on January 25, 1966. The center shield is supported by two zebras. The shape of the shield is that of traditional shields found in East Africa. On the top portion of the shield are three cogwheels that represent industry.
The three waves symbolize water, and reminds the viewer of the motto of the nation: pula, which means simply "rain", but also good luck, and is the name of the nation's currency. This motto also highlights the importance of water to Botswana. The motto is found at the bottom of the coat of arms on a blue banner.
At the bottom of the shield is the head of a bull, which symbolizes the importance of cattle herding to Botswana. The two zebras are present since zebras are an important part of Botswana's wildlife. Also, zebra has black and white stripes, which represent equality of people of all colors in Botswana. The zebra on the right holds an ear of sorghum, an important crop in the nation. The zebra on the left holds a tusk of ivory, symbolic of the former ivory trade in Botswana. There is also view that ivory tusk represents wild life preservation. Botswana is one of the countries with a highest number of elephants in Africa.
In center is The grey go-away-bird (Corythaixoides concolor).
The grey go-away-bird (Corythaixoides concolor), also known as grey lourie, grey loerie, or kwêvoël, is a bold and common bird of the southern Afrotropics. They are present in arid to moist, open woodlands and thorn savanna, especially near surface water. They regularly form groups and parties that forage in tree tops, or dust bathe on the ground. Especially when disturbed, make their presence known by their characteristically loud and nasal "kweh" or "go-way" calls, with the last syllable typically a descending drawl. Within range, their unique combination of appearance and habits precludes confusion with other bird species.
The sexes are similar. They measure 47-51 cm. from bill tip to tail tip, and weigh some 200 to 300 g. They have an almost uniform smoky-grey plumage with long tails and (similar to mousebirds) a wispy, back-swept crest of some 6 to 7 cm. in length. The crest can be raised almost vertically when excited. The strong, decurved beak is black and the gape and tongue strikingly pink. The plumage is darkest grey on the chin and throat, and palest around the eyes and on the belly. The breast plumage is washed slightly olive like that of its near relative, the Bare-faced go-away-bird.
It is native to southern Angola, southern DRC, Zambia, southern Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Swaziland. It occupies any arid to moist, and relatively open savanna woodlands, especially where Acacia trees are present. They frequent the edges of Miombo woodland, and occur commonly along water courses, dry riparian forest and in Acacia woodland on alluvium. It also occurs commonly on farms and in suburban gardens and parks. They require water, and disperse along tributaries of desert rivers when water flows. It is absent from areas that lack suitable fruiting trees, and seems to desert areas where bush encroachment occurs. They have no regular migrations, but wander about irregularly in search of food and water.
Denominations in numerals are in three corners. In words lower, centered.
Revers:
Village life scenes.
Cenetered is the woman weaving basket.
Basket making is an integral in the communities, where plain baskets without decoration are used in every day life for winnowing grain, storage and numerous other household tasks. The baskets are woven using primarily the fibers from the leaves of the local mokolwane palm tree. The un-dyed fibers are an off-white color. Additionally, the palm fibers are dyed using traditional plant dyes from the bush and decorated baskets made with colored fibers are produced for sale. Traditionally, the women are the weavers and sales of their baskets provide a much needed cash income for them. Everywhere you can see the signs on the shops and markets where you can buy these wicker products. (A look at Botswana)
In the background, two women screened grain in baskets. Behind them - the traditional round houses of Botswana.
Visiting Gaborone today, it is perhaps difficult to comprehend that, within living memory, most Batswana lived in rather rudimentary dwellings a world away from the glass-fronted office towers and palatial ranch-style properties that now grace the city center and surrounding suburbs.
Traditionally, houses were made from readily available local materials such as mud, dung and wood, while the roofs were thatched. Most of these houses were built by the people who lived in them. The houses were round in shape and often included a lolwapa or courtyard. Dwellings were often constructed in a group so that members of the same family could live in close proximity.
Almost all of this type of makeshift dwelling has disappeared from Gaborone and many other towns. But some good examples of traditional building methods and non-domestic architecture can still be found. One of these is the old fort and prison building in Gaborone Village.
More recently, and with financial assistance from the government, basic domestic dwellings have tended to be square in shape. They have metal instead of thatched roofs and the walls are made from bricks and cement. Furthermore, these houses feature individual rooms such as a kitchen and bedrooms and, in general, the builders have discarded the old-style courtyard in favour of open space around the dwelling and between each house and its neighbour.
At the same time, it is still common for many Batswana to own a house in town while retaining their agricultural and rural links with their home village. This link may include agricultural land as well as a dwelling. Many also own a cattle-post, where livestock are kept. This cattle-post may include some basic-looking buildings and/or a shelter for the herdsman.
In villages, the chief is all-powerful. He or she presides over a central court and public forum known as a kgotla – a meeting place, village council and law court all rolled into one, where community decisions are arrived at by consensus. Despite Botswana’s rush to modernise, the kgotla remains a feature of rural life and a reminder, if one were needed, of the profoundly democratic traditions of this nation. (This is Botswana)
Also such buildings could serve as grain storage facilities, which can be seen on the stamps of Botswana. Similar constructions are in the background of the banknote, left and middle. They are combined on a theme with women sifting grain.
On second set of the stamps you can see the rural life of Botswana (from children's drawings), which were performed after the release of this series of banknotes.
On right side is the woman, working with plastering float. It seems, that she mangles the thatched roof with manure, judging by the fact, that she staying on the stairs. The question on the precise definition of her work was asked by me from the Bank of Botswana. The answer is expected.
Denominations in numerals are in three corners. In words lower, centered.
Comments:
At the time of independence in 1966, Botswana was a member of the Rand Monetary Area (RMA) and the South African rand served as the national currency. However, with the decision, announced on September 6 1974, to withdraw from the RMA, the country was committed to introducing a new currency. This required substantial preparatory work, including choosing the name for the currency, and how much and in what denominations it should be produced. Regarding the name, the choice of Pula (meaning ‘rain’ or ‘blessings’) as the basic unit made up of 100 thebe (‘shield’) was overwhelmingly supported by a poll of public opinion. Thomas de la Rue and Company and the Royal Mint, both from Britain, were chosen to design and supply the notes and coins, respectively.
The new national currency was launched on August 23, 1976, subsequently known as ‘Pula Day’. An initial period of 100 days was allowed for the exchange of rand for pula, during which time the parity between the two currencies was guaranteed; various standby arrangements were also put in place to ensure enough supply of foreign exchange should the conversion take longer than expected. However, these were quickly cancelled as it soon became clear that the new currency was being enthusiastically received by the public. A large proportion of the rand circulating in Botswana was exchanged within a few weeks of Pula Day.
At the time of launching the Pula, the denomination structure consisted of four notes (P1, P2, P5 and P10) and four coins (1t, 5t, 25t, and 50t). Over the years, due to rising prices, higher value notes have periodically been introduced and coins, which last much longer, are now used for smaller denominations that are used more frequently. The lowest value coins have also been demonetized. Nonetheless, such adjustments have not been frequent, indicating the successful use of appropriate monetary and exchange rate policies to help maintain the value of the currency.
The design of the currency has been consistently based on symbolic illustration of the socio-economic, political and cultural make-up of Botswana as a country, including the importance of democracy, tourism and mining. The design has been periodically reviewed both to improved security to counter forgeries and to make appropriate adjustments to the artwork. Regarding the latter, since the launch of the Pula in 1976, it had been the practice for all new notes to feature the portrait of the current president. However, since 1997 each denomination features a different portrait, with only the P10 note showing the current president. (Bank of Botswana)
If you find my work useful I will be grateful for any help in supporting the site.
-
PayPal
-
For users of European Union banking system