Analysis of information sources in references of the Wikipedia article "Botswana pula" in English language version.
Pula (rain) was an easy choice for the currency, and the decimal coins were called thebe (shield).(Memoirs of a former president of Botswana)
The new names pula and thebe were chosen following an invitation to the public to submit a their suggestions [...] The meaning of "thebe" is shield — the traditional means of defence.