Botswana – Sir Seretse Khama – A man with a history

Seretse Khama was the son of Sekgoma Khama II, the Paramount Chief of the Bamangwato people and Queen Tebogo.  He was also the grandson of King Khama III. 

In 1951, he was exiled from his country which was called Bechuanaland at the time.  He was exiled because of his marriage to Ruth Williams Khama.  However, about five years later, after he had agreed to renounce his rights to the tribal throne, he and his wife were allowed to return to the country.

Sir Seretse Khama would later become the first Prime Minister of Bechuanaland and the first President of Botswana.  The country’s name was changed upon its independence in 1966.

His wife and he had four children and two of their sons have followed in his political footsteps.    In fact, about twenty-nine years after his death, his son Ian Khama became the fourth President of Botswana.

Note

https://www.sahistory.org.za/people/president-seretse-khama