15 Facts About Khama III

The young Khama III was at the forefront of this transition to global commerce, and as a young man owned considerable numbers of horses, guns, and ox-wagons.

Khama III was well-travelled and spoke fluent Dutch, the lingua franca of the period.

Khama III then ousted Macheng and, in what was either a selfless gesture of goodwill or simply a dogged adherence to tribal custom, re-installed his father, Sekgoma, as Chief of the Bamangwato.

Khama III was now free to leave his mark on the history of the tribe.

Khama III is probably best remembered for having made three crucial decisions during his tenure as King.

In concert with the mephato, Khama III introduced a host of European technological improvements in Bamangwato territory, including the mogoma, or oxen-drawn moldboard plow and wagons for transport.

Khama III answered these challenges by aligning his state with the administrative aims of the British, which provided him with cover and support, and, relatedly, by energetically expanding his own control over a much wider area than any kgosi before him.

Not only was Khama III's biography written at this time, but he received large amounts of other press that cemented his legend as an African Christian.

Khama III was steadfast in imposing his Christianized will on the tribe.

Khama III promoted schools and gave preference to hiring educated Christians.

Khama III banned alcohol from tribal lands, put moratoriums on the sale of cattle outside the Bamangwato territory and tribal land as concessions to foreign mining and cattle interests, and abolished polygamy.

Khama III was a servant of the people; the chieftaincy itself was at stake.

Khama III would remain Botswana's President until his death from pancreatic cancer in 1980.

Ndelu Seretse, a cousin of President Seretse Khama III Ian Khama III, is a former Minister of Justice, Defense and Security in the Government of Botswana.

Hence, the "House of Khama III" is still prominent in Botswana society.