Strengthening the Protection
The British South Africa (BSA) company, owned by the immensely wealthy Cecil Rhodes, was granted mining rights in Matabeleland by the local king (the fearsome Mzilikazi’s son). Rhodes's people initially settled around Harare, mining gold, and eventually creating the British colony of Rhodesia.
The BSA also had its eyes on the British Bechuanaland Protectorate. Khama III, Bathoen I, and Sebele I came to the rescue again, taking the extraordinary step of travelling to London to stop the Protectorate being incorporated into Rhodesia. The price was a slice of land on which a rail line could be built through to Rhodesia from what is now South Africa. Apparently there was an agreement that the British would not hand the Protectorate over to any other party, or perhaps change the status of the Protectorate, without the agreement of both the British Government and the people of the Protectorate. This was the railway line on which Mma Ramotswe's mother was killed.
The BSA also had its eyes on the British Bechuanaland Protectorate. Khama III, Bathoen I, and Sebele I came to the rescue again, taking the extraordinary step of travelling to London to stop the Protectorate being incorporated into Rhodesia. The price was a slice of land on which a rail line could be built through to Rhodesia from what is now South Africa. Apparently there was an agreement that the British would not hand the Protectorate over to any other party, or perhaps change the status of the Protectorate, without the agreement of both the British Government and the people of the Protectorate. This was the railway line on which Mma Ramotswe's mother was killed.
Of course, in view of the attitude of many in Britain towards proper democracy at the time, "democracy" being regarded in the same way as the word "communist" later, the "approval of the people of the Protectorate" probably meant the approval of just the eight kgosi.
Various parties still harboured ideas of handing the Protectorate to Rhodesia or, after 1910, South Africa. Fortunately for the Batswana, it didn't happen. Surprisingly, in view of its sometime attitude to promises, especially those made to indigenous people, the British Government appeared to keep this one. We're unsure why, apart from the obvious, that they damn well should.
If there was any reason other than the fact of a promise, we've been unable to deduce one. In fact, we’ve not been able to find much evidence, in a quick scan of Botswanan history, of the promise in the first place. Hopefully, a reader will be able to advise us, or point us in the right direction. If so, please give us a hoy.
Various parties still harboured ideas of handing the Protectorate to Rhodesia or, after 1910, South Africa. Fortunately for the Batswana, it didn't happen. Surprisingly, in view of its sometime attitude to promises, especially those made to indigenous people, the British Government appeared to keep this one. We're unsure why, apart from the obvious, that they damn well should.
If there was any reason other than the fact of a promise, we've been unable to deduce one. In fact, we’ve not been able to find much evidence, in a quick scan of Botswanan history, of the promise in the first place. Hopefully, a reader will be able to advise us, or point us in the right direction. If so, please give us a hoy.
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