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The national language of Botswana is Setswana, spoken by the Tswana people in the region. English is recognised as a second official language and is spoken widely throughout the country.
People in remote and rural areas that tourists do not frequently visit are not likely to speak English well, so some basic Setswana will go a long way in communicating there.
There are also about 20 unofficial dialects spoken by people belonging to less dominant tribal groups, such as the Hambukushu, Herero, and Kalanga, while some original Bushmen dialects remain, known collectively as SeSarwa.
“Pula” is a word that is revered in Botswana. It appears on the country’s national coat of arms and, in its literal sense, means “let there be rain” – in a primarily semi-arid country, rainfall is precious.
The local currency is also called Pula, and this term is the country’s motto and rallying cry; it’s often shouted out by crowds at football matches whenever the national team, The Zebras, scores.
