16 Facts About Tshekedi Khama

Tshekedi Khama was the regent-king of the Bamangwato tribe in 1926 after the death of Sekgoma II.

Tshekedi Khama was born in Serowe, the son of Khama III, known as Khama the Great, by his fourth wife Semane Setlhoko.

Tshekedi Khama was educated in Serowe, then at Lovedale, a Church of Scotland school in Cape Province.

Tshekedi was named heir by his father over his son Sekgoma II, with whom he had quarrelled, although Khama set aside the decision in 1916 when he reconciled with Sekgoma.

Sekgoma's heir, Seretse Khama, was still a minor, and Tshekedi was named regent for the duration of Seretse's minority.

Tshekedi Khama was installed regent on 9 January 1926, and promptly dissolved the regency council.

In 1933, Tshekedi Khama had Phineas McIntosh, a white man, flogged in public.

An inquiry led by Admiral Edward Evans, the acting high commissioner, led to Tshekedi Khama being deposed from his office, but he was quickly reinstated.

Tshekedi Khama opposed the marriage, as did the South African and Rhodesian governments.

In 1950 both Seretse and Tshekedi Khama were exiled by the British, although Tshekedi Khama was allowed to return in 1952 as a private citizen.

Tshekedi Khama was appointed a member of the 'African Authority' by the British government 1953, along with his relative Rasebolai Kgamane.

Tshekedi Khama pushed for the consolidation of local democracy and constitutional change, which eventually led to the protectorate's independence as Botswana.

Tshekedi Khama died at The London Clinic of kidney failure on 10 June 1959, and his body was returned for burial in front of a large crowd at the family's burial ground on 17 June.

Tshekedi Khama married Bagakgametse Moloi in 1936, but the marriage was quickly dissolved.

Tshekedi Khama married secondly Ella Moshoela in 1938; they had five children.

Chief Tshekedi Khama was portrayed by the South African actor Vusi Kunene in the Hollywood film A United Kingdom.