Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo has been immortalised on Botswana’s new P50 Bank note, unveiled on Friday, 12 September 2025, by the Bank of Botswana. The release coincided with the bank’s Golden Jubilee celebrations and was announced by the Office of the President of Botswana.
President Duma Gideon Boko’s office announced the development, describing the gesture as both a celebration of Tebogo’s global sporting achievements and a commemoration of Botswana’s Golden Jubilee.
“The Bank of Botswana unveils a new P50 note featuring Olympic medallist Letsile Tebogo, celebrating both its Golden Jubilee and a national icon,” the Presidency said in a statement.
The image of a smiling Tebogo is heavily imprinted on the left side of the currency note occupying almost half of the note while the remaining section of the note is the image of Botswana’s 4×400 Metre Relay Team that won silver at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France.
The move is to celebrate the national heroes and the 50th anniversary of the currency note.
22 year old Tebogo won his country’s first ever gold medal at the 2024 Olympics when he stormed to first place ahead of Americans Kenny Bednarek and Noah Lyles.
In this year’s World Championships 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, Tebogo heads into the competition as a silver medal winner in the 100 Metres and a bronze medal winner in the 200 Metres.
He is set to battle Lyles, Bednarek, Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson and Oblique Seville and Ghana’s Abdul-Rasheed Saminu and Benjamin Azamati in the 100Metres in Tokyo.
Analysts say Botswana’s decision to feature Tebogo on its currency is more than symbolic.
It represents a broader effort to inspire national pride, especially among the youth, and to project Botswana’s identity globally through sport.
By placing an athlete on its banknote, Botswana joins a growing list of countries that use currency design to celebrate cultural and sporting achievements rather than purely political or historical milestones.
For many citizens, Tebogo’s recognition serves as an enduring reminder that excellence and dedication can transcend politics and unify a nation.
