CAB129-45 — Page 193

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17? (8am.)

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DOCUMENAS PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MA Fry'$400ERNMENT)

CONFIDENTIAL

C.P. (51) 103

9TH APRIL, 1951

CABINET

31.

COPY NO.

BAMANGWATO AFFAIRS: TSHEKEDI KHAMA

Memorandum by the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations

I am continuing with Tshekedi in London talks which I began in Mafeking during my visit to the Bechuanaland Protectorate.

2.

In accordance with the decisions set out in the White Paper about the succession to the Bamangwato Chieftainship (Cmd. 7913) Tshekedi has been ordered to reside outside the Bamangwato Reserve and is not allowed to enter it except by special permission. He has been living close to the Bamangwato boundary in the Bakwena Reserve and during the past twelve months has been given permission for several visits to the Reserve to enable him to look after his property. (mainly cattle), and interests there.

3.

So far I have largely listened to Tshekedi and studied the voluminous documents which he has prepared in support of his case. at an early date I must give him my decisions.

4.

But

Tshekedi resents very deeply the order excluding him from residence in the Bamangwato Reserve. He has asked that it should be rescinded and that he should be allowed to return to live in the Reserve. He contends that the order is unjustified. He went into voluntary exile in 1949 (that is, before the White Paper) in protest against the breaking of a principle of the African social order, i. e. the possible recognition of Seretse's marriage as valid under native law and custom. Our decision upheld that principle, yet for standing by it he has in his view been unfairly penalised. He himself never contemplated that voluntary exile would debar him from returning to the Reserve from time to time to take care of his own interests. He argues that ranching operations on the scale he conducts cannot be carried out without personal supervision. Moreover, in his absence his enemies do all they can to damage his interests by interference with his property, grazing rights, water and arable lands and by molesting and intimidating his followers and employees.

Tshekedi says that he is at one with His Majesty's Government over the introduction of more representative local government in the Reserve, but he argues that the tribe must have a head otherwise the system will merely be continued direct rule camouflaged by councils. He has advanced various alternative proposals to meet this situation, viz. federation of the Bamangwato with another tribe, partition of the Reserve virtually into pro-Seretse and pro-Tshekedi areas or the appointment of the senior man in his following as regent. All three of these plans are : calculated to assure his return to power. Indeed he argues that to make any of them a success his active participation is essential.