Pula: The Blessing of Botswana
Origin of the Pula
The Botswana government polled public opinion on the naming and design of the currency in hopes of it reflecting the history, culture, and national pride of the country. The name pula (“rain”) as the basic unit made up of 100 thebe (“shield” or “defense”) was overwhelmingly supported by the public. Botswana is home to the Kalahari Desert, a semi-arid desert that receives very little rain throughout the year. Therefore, rain is scarce and seen as valuable. Over time, the word pula evolved to take on the additional meaning of “blessing,” which serves as the national motto and can even be used in situations such as greetings and celebrations.
Botswana, often hailed as an African success story, faced significant political and socio-economic challenges post-independence. To overcome these, Botswana adopted policies emphasizing transparency, education, and public consultation. A key example of this approach is the establishment of the pula, one of Africa’s strongest and most stable currencies.
The Tswana people, central to Botswana’s culture, use public forums called Kgotlas for open discussions and decision-making. This tradition of public consultation was crucial in the country’s governance and policy-making. After independence, the Botswana Democratic Party engaged the public and experts to shape policies, including the move in 1974 to establish the pula and create an independent central bank.
