Bitter Grounds Magazine

stamps, espresso & conversation

Botswana’s 2021 stamp program

Written by catpaw
March 15, 2021

Botswana’s 2021 stamp program begins with the best members of the arachnid family – scorpions! Not sure what else is in store for the year because Botswana doesn’t issue a sneak peek at future issues. But, given the country’s track record, they are bound to be beautiful and highly collectable. 

Collectors of animals and insects on stamps should take note of Botswana’s yearly offerings. Four series were issued last year, so it’s likely the same number will be published in 2021. Botswana isn’t prolific with its stamp offerings, instead opting for relevance & quality over quantity.

Botswana maintains a conservative issuing policy. A definitive set is released every 5 years illustrating a theme of international interest. Commemorative sets are issued 4 or 5 times per year illustrating themes that reveal the environmental, cultural, and historical heritage
BotswanaPost | Philately (philatelybotswana.co.bw)

2020’s first arachnid stamps featured spiders, not my favourite topic, but they were beautifully rendered. Young Botswanan artist Totang Mokoloki is behind the artwork for this year’s scorpions. 6 stamps, plus souvenir sheets and more are available. One great feature is the information sheet issued with every series. It offers information on the designers, artists, and the subject. I’ve included the brochure at the bottom of the stamp issue and will do so for subsequent stamps. Click on it to blow it up to a readable size. It’s worth the time. 

Enjoy the beauty and keep coming back to see the next issues. No idea when they’ll be, but I’m happy to wait. 

February

Invertebrates of the Kalahari 
3rd in series
2nd in Arachnid series

6 stamps showing different scorpions Full shee of scorpions Botswana's 2021 stamp program showing a sheet of 6 scorpions

Botswana's 2021 stamp program showing a sheet of 6 scorpions block of 4 stamps showing one scorpion 

Botswana's 2021 stamp program showing a sheet of 6 scorpions souvenir sheet

6 stamps, souvenir sheets, sheets, blocks, FDC, cancel

Designer: Monkgogi Samson, Demographix Agency
Previous designs include 2020 Invertebrates Spiders
Artwork: Totang Mokoloki
Previous artwork: 2020 Owls of Africa

Release date: Feb 27, 2021

SCORPION BROCHURE <- click on the brochure to download the pdf.


May

Fish Eagle 

FISH EAGLE IN BOTSWANA strip of 4 stamps Botswana's 2021 stamp program

 FISH EAGLE IN BOTSWANA souvenir sheet Botswana's 2021 stamp program FISH EAGLE IN BOTSWANA FDC Botswana's 2021 stamp program

4 stamps, FDC, cancel 

Artist: Cheri Verster
This is Verster’s first stamp for Botswana Post
Designer: Shathani Basupi
This is Basupi’s second stamp design. His first stamp was Water Utilities Anniversary 1970- 2020

Release date: May 26, 2021


Botswanna

Nelson Mandela in Botswana – road to democracy

Nelson Mandela in Botswana - road to democracy Single stamp of Mandela younger Nelson Mandela in Botswana - road to democracy single stamp with Mandela, older,

Nelson Mandela in Botswana - road to democracy souvenir sheet Nelson Mandela in Botswana - road to democracy sheets 

Nelson Mandela in Botswana - road to democracy block of 4 Nelson Mandela in Botswana - road to democracy gutter pairs 

Nelson Mandela in Botswana - road to democracy FDC with souvenir sheet Nelson Mandela in Botswana - road to democracy FDC with 2 stamps

Design note: the border design includes circular emblems. Botswana Post explains the symbolism behind the emblem in their Mandela Brochure:

Botswana Post emblem post 

2 stamps, souvenir sheet, 2 sheets of 20, 2 FDCs, cancel, blocks, gutter strips

Artist: Itumeleng Motswetla
This is Motswetla’s first stamp for Botswana Post. You can see more of her artwork on her Instagram page Itumeleng Motswetla Art (@artbyitumelengm) • Instagram photos and videos
Designer: Onica Lekuntwane
Lekuntwane began designing stamps in 2015. 

I am passionate about the collaborative power of Education and Design to change the World. I continually strive to grow personal, as a socially responsible designer, to contribute meaningfully to the development and sustainability of education (through design) in Africa.  Onica Lekuntwane

Release date: July 22, 2021


November

Cheetahs

Cheetahs Botswana 2021 4 stamps 

 Cheetahs souvenir sheet Botswana 2021

 Cheetahs Botswana 2021 FDC

Cheetahs sheet of stamps Botswana 2021

Designer: Joseph Ebulu-Otim
Artist: Sara Glendinning Sara Glendinning – Artist in Botswana
“I paint pictures when I am not distracted by life in general. Painting is hard.” Sara Glendinning

Release date: November 30, 2021


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