Seretse Khama was born on July 1, 1921, in Serowe, Bechuanaland, which is now known as Botswana. His grandfather, Kgosi Khama III, also known as Khama the Good, was the ruler of the Bangwato people. During Khama III’s rule, Bechuanaland came under British protection in the 19th century. Seretse’s name, which means ‘the clay that binds,’ symbolized the reconciliation between his father and grandfather after a conflict. In 1925, Seretse succeeded his father as the throne’s heir, but his uncle Tshekedi Khama became his regent and guardian.
Seretse was sent to South Africa for his education and graduated with a BA degree from Fort Hare University College in 1944. He then pursued further studies in law in England, first at Balliol College, Oxford, and later at Inner Temple, London. In 1947, he met Ruth Williams, the daughter of a retired army officer, and they got married in September 1948. Despite opposition from his Uncle Tshekedi, who wanted him to divorce Ruth due to her being a White woman, Seretse managed to win the support of the people, and he and Ruth were recognized as a married couple.
However, South Africa, concerned about the strategic location of Bechuanaland between them and Rhodesia, negotiated with Britain to prevent Seretse from assuming his chieftaincy. As a result, he was exiled to England in 1951. But after five years, a new Commonwealth minister decided to distance Britain from South Africa’s racist policies, and Seretse and Ruth were allowed to return to Bechuanaland, though only as regular citizens. Seretse engaged in cattle farming and local politics but was perceived by some as disconnected from current affairs. Despite his deteriorating health, he made a political comeback and became the leader of the Bechuanaland Democratic Party (BDP). In 1965, the BDP won the elections, and Seretse Khama became Prime Minister. The following year, Bechuanaland gained independence from Britain, and the country was renamed Botswana, with Seretse Khama serving as its first President.
When President Khama assumed leadership, Botswana faced significant challenges as one of Africa’s poorest nations, burdened with debt and surrounded by White-ruled states. However, Khama refused to submit to external control and focused on repairing and developing the economy, administration, and relations with other Black African states. Under his presidency, Botswana experienced the fastest-growing economy in the world. Despite the civil strife prevalent in Africa at the time, Botswana remained free from war and corruption.
In his later years, Seretse Khama played a significant role in southern African politics, negotiating the future of Zimbabwe and South West Africa/Namibia. He envisioned a post-colonial and post-apartheid southern Africa, which contributed to the establishment of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Khama’s health remained a concern, and he received regular medical treatment. On July 13, 1980, he passed away in Gabarone, Botswana. Before his death, he witnessed Zimbabwe’s independence and the launch of the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC) in April 1980. Seretse Khama Day is celebrated as a public holiday in Botswana on July 1, his birthdate.
In a speech delivered at the University of Botswana, Lesotho, and Swaziland in 1970, Seretse Khama expressed the importance of reclaiming and valuing their history. He emphasized the need to write their own history books, showcasing their past and asserting that it was as significant as any other. He believed that a nation without a past is lost, and a people without a soul, highlighting the significance of preserving their cultural heritage.
