The national coat of arms of Botswana consists of two zebras holding sorghum and ivory. Three cogs lie at the top of a shield representing the country's mineral production. The three waves in the middle of the shield allude to the country's national motto, Pula. At the bottom of the shield is the head of a bull. The central shield has been criticized for seeming to originate from Zulu ihwau shields rather than Batswana battle shields. The coat of arms' design is defined in the Botswana Emblems Law. The coat of arms was adopted in January 1966.
George Winstanley and his wife combined two winning coat of arms competition entries, and the College of Heralds finalized the design. The coat of arms is featured on the national passport, the national currency, and the presidential standard.
Design and symbolism The coat of arms features two zebras, with the one on the right holding an ear of sorghum, and the one on the left holding a tusk of ivory, symbolizing the country's elephant population. The coat of arms incorporates Botswana's motto, Pula, which is displayed on a scroll at the base and symbolized by three water waves. Positioned above these waves, a trio of interlocking gears represents the nation's industrial and mineral sectors. At the bottom of the shield is the head of a bull, which symbolises the importance of cattle herding in Botswana.
Part I of the Botswana Emblems Law: Blazon of the Arms or Ensigns Armorial of Botswana described the coat of arms of Botswana as follows: pp. 177–179 – via UN Office on Drugs and Crime.
However, its wording was superseded in 2004, which states:
Criticism Local commentators in 1966 criticized the central shield for resembling Zulu ihawu shields instead of traditional Batswana battle shields. While these initial commentators identified the design as alien to Tswana style, later research indicates that the oval design was historically used by Batswana hunters. Historian Neil Parsons argues that the shield is of Zulu origin because the Zulu and Swazi peoples retained its use in traditional dances.
Protocol and usage
The Botswana Emblems Law establishes broad protections for national symbols covered by the law, including the national flag, empowering the President to regulate its use or the use of any device resembling it. – via UN_Office_on_Drugs_and_Crime. For commercial use of the flag, organizations separate of the Government of Botswana must send a formal request to the Permanent Secretary to the President of Botswana. The application must include company documents, product samples, and usage details.
The coat of arms feature on the obverse of Botswana's currency, the Botswana pula. Its subunit, the thebe, features a version of the coat of arms without the two zebras. The coat of arms is also featured in the center of the Presidential Standard, along with the front cover of the national passport.Botswana passport. Gaborone, Botswana: Ministry of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs, Department of Immigration and Citizenship. 2010.
Prohibition of desecration Section 91 of the Botswana Penal Code criminalises any acts, spoken words or published writings that intentionally insult, mock or cause destain for some designated national symbols, including the flag. Conviction under this provision could result in a fine up to (roughly US$ as of 2024).
History In 1885, the Bechuanaland Protectorate was formed as a part of the British Empire, and would later gain its independence as the Republic of Botswana in 1966. Before its independence, the nation had no unique national emblems and flew the Union Jack during its colonial period.
George Winstanley, a British colonial administrator who served in the Bechuanaland Protectorate, administered a coat of arms design competition. Following the competition, Winstanley stated there were "two good entries" from Isabel Fawcus and Shiela England. The Cabinet of Bechuanaland rejected both initial designs. Instead, they instructed Winstanley to merge the strongest elements of each submission into a single concept. It was edited by his wife before being sent to the College of Heralds, who made the finishing touches. The final version was approved by the government and adopted on January 25, 1966, prior to the nation's independence on September 30, 1966. References