Tshekedi Khama

Tshekedi Khama (born 17 September 1905, Serowe - died 10 June 1959, London) was the regent of the Bamangwato tribe in 1923 after the death of Sekgoma II.

Background

In 1923, Khama III died and was succeeded by his son Sekgoma II, who died after serving only two years. The heir to the throne, four-year-old Seretse Khama, wasn’t ready for the job of ruling the Ngwato, so his 21-year-old uncle Tshekedi Khama became regent of his clan on 19 January 1926.^[1] Khama had attended the South African Native College at Fort Hare between 1923-1925.

Reign as regent

Resident Commissioner Sir Charles Rey determined that no progress would be forthcoming as long as the people were governed by Tswana chiefs and proclaimed all local government officials answerable to colonial magistrates. So great was the popular opposition – people feared that it would lead to their incorporation into South Africa – that Rey was ousted from his job and his proclamation annulled.

Opposition to Seretse's marriage

After the war Seretse Khama went to study in England where he met and married an Englishwoman, Ruth Williams. Tshekedi Khama was furious at this breach of tribal custom, and the South African authorities, still hoping to absorb Bechuanaland into the Union, were none too happy. The British government blocked Seretse’s chieftaincy and he was exiled from the protectorate to England. Bitterness continued until 1956 when Seretse Khama renounced his right to power and returned with his wife to Botswana to serve as a minor official.^[1]

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