The return of Lt. Gen. Ian Khama to the chieftainship marks a watershed moment for the Bangwato tribe, which has been under regency since the death of Sekgoma II in 1925. The Bangwato, one of Botswana’s most prominent and influential tribes, will, for the first time in a century, have the opportunity to be led by a substantive chief. Ian Khama (Khama IV), who recently returned from self-imposed exile in South Africa and Eswatini, has announced his intention to assume his duties as the Paramount Chief of Bangwato. Since being named chief in 1979, Khama has been unable to take the throne.
At the time of his proclamation as chief, Khama was serving in the military as Brigadier General and Deputy Commander of the army. Before him, his father was unable to assume the throne due to his controversial marriage to British national Ruth Williams and his subsequent engagement in national politics during Botswana’s formative years.
The Troubles of Bangwato Chieftainship
The quandary of the Bangwato chieftainship can be traced back to the 1890s and early 1900s when Khama III, a highly esteemed chief, clashed with his son and heir, Sekgoma II. According to historians, Khama III did not want Sekgoma II to succeed him, resulting in a power struggle that led to Sekgoma’s exile. Michael Crowder, in his biography of Tshekedi Khama titled “The Black Prince,” notes that Sekgoma II, upon reaching maturity, was as strong-willed as his father, leading to clashes over state administration. In 1898, Sekgoma II accused Khama III of grooming his son-in-law, Ratshosa Motsetle, to succeed him. Khama III reportedly told Sekgoma II, “And to you, Sekgoma, I swear that you will never get the chieftaincy… I must warn you that I can deny you the chieftaincy and pass it to the Ratshosas if I like.”
Sekgoma II, the first son of Khama III’s first wife, Mma-Bessie, was the legitimate heir according to traditional customs, which dictate that the heir is born, not chosen. After marrying Semane, Khama III desired his second son, Tshekedi, to be his successor, contrary to customary norms. While Sekgoma II was in exile, Tshekedi was born and became the object of Khama III’s devotion. In 1907, Khama III wrote a will disinheriting Sekgoma II and making Tshekedi heir to a significant fortune vested in cattle. However, he did not formally declare Tshekedi as heir to the kingship. Crowder writes, “Whether Khama liked it or not, Sekgoma was the legitimate heir, and there was little he could do to change the fact. For the Tswana kgosi is born; he is not chosen nor is he elected.”
In 1916, father and son reconciled when Sekgoma II learned of Khama III’s grave illness. Sekgoma returned to Serowe in 1922, a year after the birth of his first son and heir, Seretse. Khama III died the following year, and Sekgoma II was installed as chief of Bangwato by the British. Despite his good health, Sekgoma II died two years later, leaving the heir, Seretse, only four years old. Thus, Sekgoma II was the last chief installed on the throne, 99 years ago.
Upon Sekgoma II’s unexpected death in 1925, Tshekedi Khama, the only surviving son of Khama III, was recalled from Lovedale Fort Hare University to take over the tribe’s leadership. Tshekedi led until Seretse came of age.
Seretse Khama
After completing his degree at Fort Hare University College in 1944, Seretse studied at Balliol College, Oxford. While in England, he met and married Ruth Williams, inciting controversy within the tribe and internationally. At the height of racism, the British government prevented Seretse from taking the throne due to his marriage. His uncle, Tshekedi Khama, also opposed the union, which divided the tribe. Although recognized as chief from 1949-1950 by the tribe, the colonial government never installed Seretse. In 1956, he renounced the chieftainship and entered politics, contributing to the creation of Botswana’s constitution, which barred chiefs from national politics.
Ian Khama
Ian Khama, named after his father and great-grandfather, became known as Kgosi Khama IV. Declared the paramount chief of Bangwato in 1979, a year before his father’s death, Khama has been unable to take the throne due to military duties. In the 1980s, the tribe sought to recall Khama IV from the army to assume chieftainship. Leaving the army in 1998, Khama entered politics, leading the Botswana Democratic Party, founded by his father. In his absence, Kgosi Sidiegeng Khama, a descendant of Sekgoma I, has acted on his behalf.
