SERETSE KHAMA REPLACED

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27040, 15 May 1953, Page 9

SERETSE KHAMA REPLACED

TRIBESMAN SELECTED AS ADMINISTRATOR

CAPE TOWN, May 13. Britain today abruptly ended three years of direct rule over the Bamangwato tribe of Bechuanalend by appointing a tribesman to replace Chief Seretse Khsma, banished after his marriage to a London typist. The Resident. Commissioner (Mr Forbes Mackenzie) summoned the tribesmen to a meeting, and announced the appointment of Rasebolai, a quiet, dignified man of 47. The British spokesman had repeatedly recommended Rasebolai tq earlier tribal meetings which had failed to agree. His appointment wa* greeted with approving cries by some of the 150 tribesmen at the meeting, but others shouted their rejection, and the meeting broke up. Rasebolai served with the Royal Pioneer Corps in the Middle East during World War 11. and became a sergeant-major—the highest rank open to him as an African. He won the British Empire Medal, and was personally decorated by the fate King Georg* VI when he visited Bechuanatand in 1947. Rasebolai wa* senior member of the tribe after Seretse Kham* and Tshekedi Kham*. The decision foes not make Rasebolai chief of the Bamangwato tribe.