Botswana’s national flag is light blue with a horizontal black stripe edged in white across the centre. It was adopted at independence in 1966.

Meaning of the colors

Light blue represents water and rain, vital resources in a largely dry country; Botswana’s national motto, Pula, also means rain. The black stripe with white borders symbolises racial harmony and recalls the black-and-white pattern of the zebra, the national animal.

History

The flag was created for independence from Britain and deliberately avoided the Pan-African red-yellow-green pattern used by many newly independent states.

• Adopted: September 30, 1966
• Colors: light blue, black and white
• Key symbolism: rain and racial harmony