Botswana coat of arms, surrounded by the country name and the word IPELEGENG, date below.

Ipelegeng means to be self-sufficient or independent.

The coat of arms of Botswana was adopted on January 25, 1966. The shape of the centre shield is that of traditional shields found in East Africa. On the top portion of the shield are three cogwheels that represent industry.

The three waves symbolize water, and reminds the viewer of the motto of the nation: pula, which means simply "rain", but also good luck, and is the name of the nation's currency. This motto also highlights the importance of water to Botswana. The motto is found at the bottom of the coat of arms on a blue ribbon.

At the bottom of the shield is the head of a bull, which symbolises the importance of cattle herding in Botswana. On the right there is an ear of sorghum, an important crop in the nation. On the left there is a tusk of ivory, symbolic of the former ivory trade in Botswana. There is also view that ivory tusk represents wild life preservation. Botswana has one of the highest elephant populations in Africa.

Denomination above Sorghum bicolor.

Sorghum bicolor, commonly called sorghum and also known as great millet, durra, jowari / jowar, or milo, is a grass species cultivated for its grain, which is used for food for humans, animal feed, and ethanol production. Sorghum originated in Africa, and is now cultivated widely in tropical and subtropical regions. Sorghum is the world's fifth-most important cereal crop after rice, wheat, maize, and barley. It grows in clumps that may reach over 4 m high. The grain is small, ranging from 2 to 4 mm in diameter. Sweet sorghums are sorghum cultivars that are primarily grown for forage, syrup production, and ethanol.

In many parts of Asia and Africa, sorghum grain is used to make flat breads that form the staple food of many cultures. The grains can also be popped in a fashion similar to popcorn.