Botswana launches iconic bird symbol
Monkagedi Gaothobogwe | Monday May 12, 2014 14:33
A press release from the Ministry of Environment Wildlife and Tourism, says the species should be recognised in order to raise their portfolio at national level considering their cultural heritage value and significance.
The launch, to be held at the Fairgrounds, is not expected to be a colourful one. The event will not be graced by the President or the vice president or the minister. The Monitor has leant that the job has been left to directors in the ministry to carry out.
As Botswana takes the first steps to recognise national symbols, The Monitor looks at some of Botswana’s iconic birds and animals, immortalised in our Currency, the Pula and thebe, since independence.
Kgaka (The Guinea Foul)
It is not only famous for its tasty meat, but the Kgaka has made its way into Botswana currency. For over four decades, the beautiful bird stood side by side with the head of a President on the P5 note, which was later phased out.
Mamptshe, Ntshe (Ostrich) The biggest bird on earth has also occupied a hallowed place in the hearts of Batswana, appearing alongside the head of a President on the P20 note, and later placed alongside that of the composer of the national anthem, the late KT Motsepe. The ostrich image has, however been phased out and replaced with a tsodilo painting.
The big bird’s meat is not traditionally a favourite among Batswana. But some want to be in close proximity with the bird because of the legend that ostriches often swallow precious stones like diamonds. The two commodities that are useful to Batswana especially are the feathers, which make feather-dusters and ostrich eggs which are used for decorating and jewellery.
Koro (The Hornbill)
It used to be the face of the discontinued P2 note. It would later surface on a P10 note, now appears on our 5 thebe coin.
Tshetlo (The Honey Guide)
The beautiful and colourful long beak bird was also the face of our P50 note at some point.
Kgogadira (The Fish Eagle)
It is one of the wildlife wonders of Botswana. The Okavango fish eagle became popular even before our wildlife wonders caught the eyes of the world, as the bird was celebrated on the 50 thebe coin, as well as on the P50 note.
Lenong (The Vulture)
It appears alongside the three dikgosi on the P100 note.
Although the today’s launch of national symbols somehow excludes animals, even outside the official announcements Botswana has over the years celebrated some of its iconic animals through its currency.
Kukama (The Gemsbok)
Batswana concur that kukama’s meat is one of the tastiest. The wild animal is also beautiful in appearance. It is common in most parts of Botswana. It is also featured on the other side of the now defunct 5 Pula notes. The kukama is also the symbol of our 10 thebe coin.
Pitse ya naga (The Zebra)
It is the iconic symbol of Botswana; it is there in our coat of arms, the National football team is nicknamed after the stripped animal, our highest Pula denomination, the P200 note also prides itself with the Zebra, where a herd of them are pictured on one side. With the coat of arms appearing on all our coins, the Zebra becomes the only animal to appear on all Botswana’s coins.
Kgomo (The Cow)
It is a national symbol in many ways for Batswana and signifies prosperity. The kgomo appears on the 25 thebe coin. On the first P1 note the kgomo is celebrated with the image of a modisa milking it.
Tau (The Lion)
A state president in the local tongue is honoured as the big lion (tau-tona). The Botswana Police use the lion’s mane lion as their symbol.