A Botswana Traveler’s Companion; English Setswana Phrase Book

Languages Dipuo Botswana is a multi-lingual society with over 20languages. Setswana is the national language and English is the official language, used for commerce and business. Other languages spoken in Botswana, include; various Khoesan languages such as Gana, Gwi, Kung-Ekoka, Naro, Kxoe, Shua, and Tsoa. In addition there is Sebirwa, Setswapong, Sesubiya, Seyei, Ikalanga, Utjiherero, Sesarwa, Sekgalagadi, Thimbukushu, Sengwato, Sengwaketsi, Sekwena, Afrikaans, Ikalanga and many more.

Currency Madi Botswana currency is the Pula. The currency is divided into units called Pula and thebe. Pula means rain; this is an indication of how much value is attached to rain in Botswana. Thebe means shield. Together the words mean that rain is the shield of the nation. This is to signify that Botswana depends largely on rain to carry out agricultural activities, in particular the livestock industry, which remains the real basis for most people’s wealth. The notes are in denominations of P200, P100, P50.00, P20.0 and P10.00. The coins come in P5.00, P2.00, P1.00, 50t, 25t, 10t, and 5t.

Most major shopping areas, such as the super markets, or restaurants, bank ATMs, and fuel points accept VISA or MasterCard charge cards. When shopping at smaller shops, however, you will only be able to use the Pula in cash. Traveler’s cheques can be changed from local banks at prevailing rates. It is possible to change to currencies such as South African Rand, USD Dollar and British Pounds.

Botswana climate Tsa loapi Although the climate varies according to the season, Botswana is a relatively hot country. The summer season is from October to April, and one can expect hot to extremely hot days and nights during this season. In the winter, from May to September, the climate is dry with warm to hot days and very cold nights and early mornings. The rainy season is from December to March. The rainfall is quite erratic.

Botswana is an extremely hot country. Heat stroke, heat exhaustion, sunburn and dehydration are often serious problems for first time travelers to Botswana. To guard against this, one needs to drink lots of water. A hat and sunscreen lotions and creams always come in handy for outdoor activities. In addition, bottled water is always available in local shops. Health Care Botsogo The country’s good health facilities and trained health workers, have benefited the nation a lot and has helped to address the HIV/ AIDS epidemic that has been a challenge for the nation over a number of years. Due to government’s commitment to citizen health, we have seen a steady decline in new infection rates. This has been due the drastic measures and robust educational programmes. Other support programs include but not limited to: free provision or ARV treatment to all citizens, Prevention of Mother To Child Transmission, which aims at 0% HIV infected babies at birth. The infusion of HIV and AIDS topics in the school curriculum, Talk Back, a national television programme that reaches people across the country with key messages. Malaria is present in the Central and North West Botswana. First time travelers may need to consult their doctors for advice on this. There are good health centres around the country, both privately and state owned.

The People of Botswana Batho ba Botswana One Botswana citizen is called a Motswana and the plural of that is Batswana. Batswana are a peaceful people, who value peace and tranquility in their interactions at all levels. They are generally humble, friendly, tolerant, and unassuming. Batswana always strive for peaceful and amicable conflict resolution. They have co-existed peacefully despite the pluralistic nature of the society and multiplicity of languages. Consultation, communication and negotiations are upheld across the society. Dialogue remains a majorly promoted means of conflict resolution, hence the adage: Ntwa kgolo ke ya molomo, (Literally translated: The greatest way to fight is through words).This means that the best way to resolve issues is by peaceful dialogue rather than to engage in physical confrontation.

Setswana: The Language Puo ya Setswana Setswana is spoken by a large majority of the people of Botswana, even those for whom it is not a first language. Setswana belongs to a group of languages called the “Bantu” languages spoken throughout Sub Saharan Africa. Setswana is mutually intelligible to a certain degree with the Sotho-Tswana languages such as Sesotho, spoken in Lesotho, Lozi, in Zambia, and Sepedi in South Africa.

Setswana is largely a descriptive language and so tends to use more words than other languages. It is not always easy to find a word that is an exact and precise equivalent of a word in another language. Setswana is an open syllable language and has seven vowels in all. This means it is common place to find two or more consonants clustered together. They usually end with a vowel. For example: /th-/tlh-/tsh-/tshw-/mm-/n-/.

General Greeting Madume Ka Kakaretso These greetings are used across the time divide. They are not time specific and so can be used throughout the day. Hello. Dumela. Hello (to a female). Dumela, mma. Hello (to a male), how are you? Dumela, rra. How are you? (Singular). O kae? How are you? (Plural). Le kae? I am well/fine. Ke teng. We are well/fine. Re teng. I am good/fine, and you? Ke teng, wena? We are good/fine, and you? Re teng, lona? Thank you. Ke a leboga. Thank you. Tanki. Bidding Farewell Go laela Good bye. / Alright Go siame. Goodbye (informal) Shapo/ Go shapo. Ok. Go siame Stay well Sala sentle. Good bye. Tsamaya sentle. Go siame. It’s ok/alright. Go siame. It is well. Go siame. Have a nice day Tlhola sentle/Nna le letsatsi le le monate. Good night. Boroko. /Robala sentle. Sweet dreams. Ditoro tse di monate! I am ok. Ke siame.