Africa-Press – Botswana. Kgosi Tshekedi Khama, the Bangwato regent from 1926 to 1949, is praised by local authors as a visionary leader who fought for the liberation of the region, master farmer, exceptional administrator, defender for the downtrodden and tireless servant of the people.
Kgosi Gasebalwe Seretse, who is also a member of the Gammangwato royal family, has penned a book about his relative titled Tshekedi Khama: The Lion of Gammangwato, in which he confesses his admiration of the late leader. He also points out that he wrote the book to shed more light on the legacy of the great traditional leader.
He notes that Kgosi Tshekedi Khama also worked with other tribal leaders and that his influence extended beyond his tribe.
The author argues that his leadership was pivotal during the protectorate era when the country faced the threat of incorporation into South Africa under an oppressive apartheid regime.
He notes that he supported the rights of Ovaherero in Namibia and was involved with the African National Congress.
Kgosi Seretse acknowledges that his journalistic background played a crucial role in the creation of the book. He notes the research hours that went into writing the book and the challenges of limited resources.
Despite the hurdles, he said his determination ensured that the book was compiled.
He also acknowledges the challenges he had to overcome to write about Kgosi Tshekedi.
He notes that he was also a controversial figure and that there were a lot of misconceptions about him. He admitted that many people were not willing to support and help him once he told them of his intentions.
Another author, Mr David Magang in his book: The Magic of Perseverance, also heaps praise on Kgosi Tshekedi Khama for his foresight and leadership skills.
Kgosi Seretse hopes that readers would appreciate the multifaceted greatness of Kgosi Tshekedi Khama, his love for education and development, noting that he paid school fees for many of his subjects and spearheaded the construction of Moeng College.
During his research, Kgosi Seretse said he uncovered many lesser-known aspects of Kgosi Khama’s life such as being a devoted Christian of the London Missionary Society.
He said he was also struck by Kgosi Khama’s extraordinary work ethic, noting that he often slept less than three hours a day and was always the first to wake up and prepare breakfast for his entourage during expeditions.
Kgosi Khama’s legacy, according to Kgosi Seretse, continues to resonate in today’s Botswana. “He was a visionary,” Kgosi Seretse maintains, noting his advocacy for education and the rights of the downtrodden as timeless values.
On the most surprising thing he learned about Kgosi Tshekedi Khama, he said he was surprised by the amount of animosity he faced from his subjects and his close and distant relatives.
Kgosi Seretse also maintains that no history of the Bamangwato could be narrated without noting Kgosi Tshekedi Khama’s era and leadership. The book, he hopes, would contribute to understanding the history and culture of Bangwato.
He aligned Kgosi Khama with other notable Bangwato leaders such as Kgosi Sekgoma I, Khama III and Sir Seretse Khama, but emphasised that Kgosi Tshekedi Khama was his favourite.
The author plans to explore more historical narratives related to Tshekedi Khama, and is currently working on a book about his village Pilikwe, founded by Kgosi Tshekedi Khama in 1952 and of which he is the traditional leader.
He notes that the have the annual Kgosi Tshekedi Khama commemoration day in Pilikwe to celebrate his enduring legacy in the village every September.
Through the book, Kgosi Seretse said he intended to ensure that Kgosi Tshekedi Khama’s remarkable life and legacy were celebrated and remembered. In his social media platforms, the author acknowledges that in May this year over 800 copies of the book were already sold at P200.
Kgosi Seretse will be celebrating his 50th birthday this month and many other milestones. ”The Lord has been good to me,” he said in one of his posts on Facebook.
Kgosi Seretse has completed a creative writing course with the British Council and Lancaster University, and a leadership course with the British Council.
He has published five books, including Tshekedi Khama: The master whose dog barked at.
Kgosi Seretse has contributed to the local media, including at Mmegi and Botswana Guardian, and has received several awards for his writing.
He is a patron of two primary schools, Gasebalwe Seretse Primary School in Gweta and Pilikwe Primary School.
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