Seretse Khama

Sir Seretse Khama KBE ( born July 1, 1921 in Serowe, † July 13, 1980 in Gaborone ) was from 1966 to 1980 the first President of Botswana.

Youth

Seretse Khama belonged to the Society of Bamangwato in the former British protectorate of Bechuanaland. He was the grandson of King Khama III. and son of Prince Sekgoma. His father had spent 17 years in exile, after his death in 1925 inherited Seretse Khama the dignity of the nobility. Due to his young age, his uncle Tshekedi Khama was used as Regent, who also took over his upbringing. He spent his childhood mostly in boarding schools in South Africa, as in Tiger Kloof (Natal ) and at the mission school in Lovedale (Eastern Cape ).

He then attended the University of Fort Hare in Alice ( also the Eastern Cape ). During his studies in Johannesburg in 1944 he was asked to take the lead within the Society of Bamangwato, but his studies decided to continue. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree and attended since August 1945 Balliol College, Oxford University. He gained practical experience as a barrister at the Inner Temple of the Inns of Court of the Royal Courts of Justice in London.

Wedding and exile

In June 1947, he met Ruth Williams know who worked at Lloyd 's of London. After a year the two, which caused some irritation in two groups were married: the Elders of Bamangwato wanted no white at the royal court and the new South African government under Daniel François Malan just started so, implement and stressed its policy of apartheid voice in matters of neighboring British protectorates. His uncle Tshekedi Khama demanded his immediate return to Bechuanaland and the annulment of the marriage. After his return Seretse was confirmed by the elders as Kgosi (principal). His wife eventually became popular among the people, renounced his uncle on his claims and left the country. Seretse returned to London to continue his studies.

In March 1950, the British government intervened in the case. After a meeting with the Minister for Commonwealth Affairs Seretse Khama was the government's proposal in a press conference: waiver of the representation office for an annual tax-free severance payment of £ 1,100 (then almost 23,000 DM ) and his stay in England. Since he could not hereby make friends, he was exiled from Bechuanaland, with considerable pressure from the South African government was suspected.

Return

The Bamangwato refused for a while to appoint a successor, which is why the British use the in line of succession runners- Rasebolai Kgamane. After abandoning his claims Seretse Khama was allowed to return in 1956 with his wife and his children. In matters of the tribe, he supported Kgamane and lived otherwise unremarkable and retired as a rancher.

After a constitutional reform in 1960, which conceded the Africans 12 of the 35 seats in the Legislative Council, Seretse Khama became a deputy. In January 1962, he founded the Bechuanaland Democratic Party (BDP ), the 1965 elections could clearly decide with 28 of the 31 seats for themselves, and became Prime Minister. The party was renamed after independence in Botswana Democratic Party. In the early 1960s there were rumors that he had the conversation with Sir Roy Welensky sought to connect his land to the Central African Federation in the press. The project was not pursued further.

President

As Bechuanaland on September 30, 1966 under the name of Botswana became independent, he took over the office of president. As president, he was able to secure his country a good economic development, an effective fight against corruption and democracy. The wealth of raw materials allowed him extensive investments in infrastructure and education.

In foreign policy, he was able to keep his country out of the conflicts in South Africa, Rhodesia and Namibia largely out and be restricted to the more symbolic allegiance to the " Front Line States ".

Seretse Khama was suffering from diabetes and remained until his death due to a cancerous condition in 1980 President of Botswana.

In April 2008, his son Ian Khama came to the presidency and was confirmed in October 2009 by a large majority.

Swell

• Ronald Segal: African profiles. Prestel 1963
• Wolf -Rüdiger Baumann, Gustav Fochler - Hauke ​​: Fischer World Almanac. Biographies of contemporary history since 1945 Fischer Taschenbuch Verlag, 1985, 25th edition. ; ISBN 3-596-24553-2