Botswana

2011
50 x 50 x 6.6 cm | 28 kg – Multi-layer fused glass with pigment inclusion

Botswana - called Bechuanaland until independence - was placed under British mandate from 1885 to 1966, at the request of the Tswana chiefs, concerned about the penetration of the Boer settlers from the Republic of Transvaal.
After the victory of the British in the Boer War, Britain established the Union of South Africa in 1910. The new settlement proposed to absorb the Bechuanaland, but Tswana chiefs opposed. It was in 1966 that Britain granted independence. The country since then enjoys a stable democratic regime.
That same year was adopted the flag with two thin white stripes identified black horizontal Strip symbolizes the social harmony and equality of the white and black populations. As azure, it represents the sky and rain which fertilize the soil and makes reference to the Okavango River, which has the peculiarity of never reach the Ocean: its vast delta ends in the Kalahari desert.
It is also said that the black and white bands refer to the zebra, the country's animal symbol, which is represented on its coat of arms.