Seretse Khama

Seretse Khama (July 1, 1921 - July 13, 1980) was the first President of Botswana. He is internationally remembered for bringing peace and prosperity to the formative years of his nation.

Presidency

At the time of its independence, Botswana was among the world?s poorest countries. Tax revenues proved insufficient to cover the costs of government, forcing Botswana into heavy debt with Britain. The foreign policy situation was similarly bleak; trapped between the massive and militantly racist South Africa and Rhodesia, most observers believed that Botswana would have little choice but to become a satellite state to one or the other.

Related Topics:
Tax - Rhodesia

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Seretse Khama set out on a vigorous economic program intended to transform Botswana into an export-based economy, built around beef, copper, and diamonds. The 1967 discovery of Orapa?s enormous diamond deposits particularly aided this program, and between 1966 and 1980 Botswana had the fastest growing economy in the world. Much of this money was reinvested into infrastructure, health, and education costs, resulting in further economic development. Seretse Khama also instituted strong measures against corruption, the bane of so many other newly-independent African nations.

Related Topics:
Beef - Copper - Diamond - Orapa - Infrastructure - Health - Education - Corruption - Africa

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On the foreign policy front, Seretse Khama refused to allow South African and Rhodesian liberation movements to use Botswana as a base for raiding operations. However, he did allow these groups transit to Zambia, leading to reprisal raids from both neighboring governments. Shortly before his death, Seretse Khama would play a major role in negotiating the end of the Rhodesian civil war and the resulting creation and independence of Zimbabwe.

Related Topics:
Zambia - Civil war - Zimbabwe

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Seretse Khama remained president until his death from pancreatic cancer in 1980, when he was succeeded peacefully by Vice President Quett Masire. He was buried in the Khama family graveyard on a hill in Serowe.

Related Topics:
Pancreatic cancer - Quett Masire

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