The five Independence stamps, issued September 30, 1976, are sand grained, sand being the name of the texture and they are, quite probably, the first stamps with a texture since the United States of America issued stamps with an embossed grille between 1861 and 1866. The grille was known as a Z grille and existed in three sizes. The modern process of graining is really a form of fine embossing. After printing, the stamps are passed between metal rollers, which have an interlocking relief.

M. F. Bryan’s designs represent the Cattle Industry (4t) Tourism, the Okavango Delta (10t). The Okavango Delta is the greatest inland delta system in the world with thousands of square miles of lush vegetation, clear streams and a wildlife spectacular. The 15t. stamp represents a class being taught under the shade of a tree with the school buildings in the background. The 25t. represents the mining industry.

Printing was carried out by the House of Questa in lithography.

Read more about Botswana since independence at Encyclopedia Britannica Online