Botswana
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Khama III
Mosu, Botswana
Archival Overview
Kgosi (King) of the Bamangwato people who modernized his nation, banned alcohol and ivory exploitation, and sailed to London in 1895 with two fellow kings to outmaneuver Cecil Rhodes, preventing Botswana from being annexed into Rhodes' British South Africa Company.
Biographical Record
Khama III (c. 1837–1923), known as 'Khama the Good', was a devout Christian and brilliant equestrian warrior who defended his kingdom against Matabele and Boer raids. He modernized schools, abolished bride-price cattle exactions, and outlawed the trade in alcohol and firearms.
In 1895, when imperialist Cecil Rhodes schemed to annex Bechuanaland into his commercial charter company, Khama and two fellow kings (Bathoen I and Sebele I) sailed to England. Appealing directly to the British public and Queen Victoria, Khama successfully blocked Rhodes, preserving Bechuanaland under Crown protection and laying the foundation for modern independent Botswana.
Key Life Milestones
The Historic Mission to Queen Victoria
Traveled to Britain to defeat Cecil Rhodes' corporate annexation schemes, saving Botswana's national territory.
Founding of the Royal Capital of Serowe
Established Serowe as the modern administrative and cultural capital of the Bamangwato people.
Memorial Guestbook & Tributes
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Final Resting Place
Perpetual MemorialSerowe (Central District), Botswana