..Botswana - 10 Pula Polymer 2021

Lefatshe la Botswana

(The Republic of Botswana)

 

Banka Ya Botswana

(Bank of Botswana)

Currency - Pula (BWP)

 

On the 01.02.2018, the Bank of Botswana released its first polymer note of 10 pula printed with the portrait of the fourth president, Seretse Khama Ian Khama (b.1953-). President Khama ruled Botswana for 10 years between 2008-2018 (maximum term allowed). Ian Khama was the second child and the eldest son of Sir Seretse Goitsebeng Maphiri Khama (b.1921-1980) and Ruth Williams Khama (b.1923-2002). If you have seen the 2016 movie called 'A United Kingdom', then you will know what I am talking about.

On the 22.02.2021, the Bank of Botswana released another 10 pula polymer note. The design for this note is the same as the one issued in 2018 but has the portrait of the current president, Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi (b.1962-). Dr Masisi became President of Botswana on 01.04.2018. Prior to that, he was the Vice President serving under President Ian Khama for 10 years. 

It appears that both Ian Khama and Dr Masisi are not on a good term and I wonder by replacing the portrait of Ian Khama on the note has anything to do with this. Like many government leaders around the world, having a portrait of a current sitting President on a banknote is a very good way of promoting one's image. It is much better than those huge billboards elected along the busy highways or popular areas or city centers as no one will even bother to look at it after a while.

 

The signatures on this note belongs to:-

.Minister of Finance and Economic Development - Dr Thapelo Matsheka (since 2019);

.Governor - Moses Dinekere Pelaelo (since 2016). 

 

Dimensions - 131mm x 66mm 

Ten Pula

Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi is the fifth President of Botswana. Prior to this, he was the 8th Vice President of Botswana. Because of his surname, he is also known as 'Sisiboy' by the people in Botswana. As President, he is also the leader of the ruling party, Botswana Democratic Party. Dr Masisi was a high school teacher prior to entering politics.

 

On the bank, it depicts the Parliament building in Gaborone. It is known as the National Assembly Chamber. This building was built in 1965.

 

The imprinter of this note is Oberthur Fiduciaire and year date 2020 is also printed on the back of the note. The previous 10 pula polymer note was printed by De La Rue and dated 2018.

 

Footnote👍

I think most people here would agree with me that Botswana is one of the very few countries in the African continent that is fully democratic and conduct its general election free and fair and also in a timely manner since gaining independence in September 1966 from the British. Since independence, the country has five elected presidents and the country's small whites minority and other minorities are free to participate in all elections process. 

Past Presidents of Botswana

1) Sir Seretse Khama Ian Khama (b.1921-1980) - 1966 to 1980;

2) Quett Ketumile Joni Masire (b.1925-2017) - 1980 to1998;

3) Festus Gontebanye Mogae (b.1939-) - 1998 to 2008;

4) Seretse Khama Ian Khama (b.1953-) - 2008 to 2018;

5) Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi (b.1962-) - since 2018.