01 Jul 2020

It was always Sir Seretse Khama’s wish to advance Botswana to a far more developed nation than it was pre independence.

This is according to Kgosi Gomolemo Omphile of Kgopa Ward in Serowe.

Seretse’s wish was granted because under his leadership, Botswana experienced economic and social development.

Kgosi Omphile said though Sir Seretse Khama’s father died while he was around four years-old, he grew up surrounded by loving relatives.

Kgosi Omphile said Sir Seretse Khama was fortunate to have relatives, especially his uncle, Kgosi Tshekedi Khama on his side who looked after and groomed him, mindful that he was grooming Bangwato paramount chief however, allowing him to be an ordinary child.

“His uncle made every effort to make his childhood as normal as possible,” he said.

Fact that he was royalty was never lost to anybody, Kgosi Omphile said adding that his status did not in any way rob him of a normal childhood

He said Sir Seretse Khama played and did household chores like any other child.

Sir Seretse Khama’s intelligence Kgosi Omphile said was a well-known fact. He spent most of his youth schooling in South Africa and went to England.

A curator at Khama III Memorial Museum in Serowe, Mr Scobie Lekhutile narrates that Sir Seretse Khama, a Fort Hare University BA graduate who later studied to become a barrister in England.

He said history had it that Sir Seretse Khama did not like Latin language and this dislike delayed him to finish his studies.

While in England he met and fell in love with a white woman, Ruth Williams and they got married in 1948.

He said his marriage was controversial particularly with Bangwato and among the British and some South Africans because it was between a white woman and a black man. He said the union did not go well with Bangwato because all necessary steps for a traditional wedding to take place were not followed.

Mr Lekhutile said meetings were held condemning his marriage suggesting that Sir Seretse Khama should be summoned back to Botswana, condemning his marriage and suggesting that Khama’s white wife should be prevented from entering Serowe.

He however, said Bangwato at the end agreed to accept him as their chief on any terms after several meetings. ENDS