The Untold Story of One of Africa’s Wealthiest Nations

How One Man’s Vision Led to Botswana’s Meteoric Rise

Today, Botswana is the least corrupt African country, clocking in at number 35 the Corruptions Perceptions Index. (The United States is number 24.)

Botswana is also one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, with the third highest gross national income per capita in purchasing power in Africa (well above the world average). 

How did they achieve this? Was it their diamond industry? Great education?

Nope. It’s because of a man named Seretse Khama. Today, I will share his story. 

From birth, Seretse Khama was marked as a person who would bring unity to his people. 

His parents were the King and Queen of the Bamangwato clan. In 1921, they gave their son the name Seretse—“the clay that binds”—in hopes that he could heal long-standing political wounds within their tribe. This was a heavy weight to place on a child’s shoulders, considering that they ruled over one of the largest chieftaincies in Bechuanaland (modern-day Botswana). 

That weight became even heavier in 1925, when Seretse’s father died, leaving him the title of kgosi (king). The boy was only 4 years old, so his uncle Tshekedi Khama served as his regent and guardian while the young king attended school in South Africa. In 1944, Seretse traveled to the UK, with the plan of studying at Oxford and training as a trial attorney before returning to rule over his people. 

Everything went according to plan until June 1947, when Khama met a curly-haired financial clerk with a passion for jazz. Ruth Williams, the daughter of a British Army captain from South London, won Khama’s heart, and after a year of dating, the couple married. 

Their marriage stirred up scandal on multiple fronts. The government of South Africa had recently established apartheid, and because interracial marriage was forbidden, the South African government pushed to have Khama removed from his chieftainship. 

Technically, they had no right to do this, because the Bamangwato people lived in Bechuanaland (a distinct British protectorate), but South Africa viewed the relationship as a threat, and some hardliners even advocated invading Bechuanaland if the “White Queen” was allowed to reign.

Meanwhile, the Bamangwato elders were angered that Khama had married outside his own clan, and they pushed to have the marriage annulled. 

Still, Khama did not cave. He hosted a lengthy series of public meetings, while Ruth immersed herself in Bamangwato life. After several years, the couple successfully convinced the clan to accept the relationship. 

But the fight against the South African government proved more difficult, and under pressure, the UK exiled Seretse and Ruth from Bechuanaland in 1951. They were only allowed to return five years later, after Khama had renounced his throne. 

Seretse and Ruth Khama with 3-year-old Ian and six-year-old Jacqueline in Croydon, England in 1956. Via The Times. 

I can’t even imagine the pain that must have caused. It would have been so easy for Khama to hang his head in shame or retreat from politics. 

But when you’re facing a problem, you have three choices: 

1. Do nothing and pretend the problem doesn’t exist.

2. Talk about it but still do nothing. 

3. Do something and change the status quo. 

Seretse Khama chose option number 3. He channeled his frustration into vision. 

Khama became involved in local government, and in 1961, he founded the Bechuanaland Democratic Party. Instead of a point of shame, his exile became a point of pride to his independence-focused electorate. 

Khama became the Prime Minister of Bechuanaland. 

But he didn’t stop there. He continued to push for Botswana’s independence, which was finally won on September 30, 1966. Under the new constitution, Khama was appointed as the first President of Botswana. 

Because Khama remained resolute in the face of hardships, millions of people gained independence from colonial powers. 

But helming a new country isn’t a piece of cake. Especially not when you’re helming a country that had the problems the new Republic of Botswana did. In 1966, Botswana was the third-poorest country in the world; it had few natural resources, an arid climate, and scant infrastructure. 

But, again, Khama chose option number 3. He viewed those challenges as opportunities. 

By rejecting anti-capitalist, statist policies and instead advancing economic freedom—including respect for rule of law, protection of property rights, and strong anti-corruption policies—Khama successfully catapulted Botswana into an upper-middle-income nation. 

Botswana is a perfect example of what’s possible for other African nations. Embracing entrepreneurial capitalism, creating jobs, and reinvesting wealth in ways that will improve people’s lives is exactly how we can achieve Africa’s Bright Future.
—Magatte Wade

Between 1966 and 1996, Botswana had an incredible annual burst of GDP growth (7.7 percent per year), with the numbers peaking at 10.74 percent between 1965 and 1975. 

And because Khama reinvested that wealth into health, education, and infrastructure, Botswana not only became one of the wealthiest nations on the Continent, but it also became one of the most prosperous. 

Khama’s leadership gave people good lives. 

While many African nations plunged into economic and political chaos after independence, often due to Marxist economic policies, Khama maintained respect for indigenous institutions, property rights, and rule of law. Thus, Botswana had a growing cattle industry even before the development of the diamond industry there. 

And before you say, “But…Botswana’s wealth came from diamonds,” let me set the record straight. While diamonds were first discovered in 1967, as late as 1973 they only represented 11% of the economy.  It wasn’t until 1975 that diamond output exceeded agricultural output.  

We also have to take into account that Khama was President until 1980, meaning that his strong foundations saved Botswana from the “resource curse” of so many other African countries—where African elites focus on enriching themselves (or fighting over control over resources in order to enrich themselves) rather than improving overall economic conditions.  

I give Khama’s governance full credit for Botswana’s boom. He is an African hero.

Gaborone, the capital city of Botswana. Photo via National Geographic.

Seretse Khama, the first President of Botswana, certainly was “the clay that binds.” Instead of succumbing to the knee-jerk reaction of his tribal elders, he convinced them of the legitimacy of his marriage. Instead of giving up when South Africa deprived him of his legitimate chieftainship, he paved another path to political leadership—one that ultimately led to independence. And instead of following the bad guidance of socialist teachings, he led Botswana to prosperity. 

Botswana is a perfect example of what’s possible for other African nations. Embracing entrepreneurial capitalism, creating jobs, and reinvesting wealth in ways that will improve people’s lives is exactly how we can achieve Africa’s Bright Future. 

Let’s follow Khama’s example, bind together, and carve a path toward prosperity.