# Seretse Khama

_First President of Botswana (1921–1980)_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/seretse-khama
Last updated: 2026-11-08

> Sir Seretse Goitsebeng Maphiri Khama, GCB, KBE was a Motswana politician who served as the first President of Botswana, a post he held from 1966 to his death in 1980.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 1 July 1921 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q219962#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Serowe ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q219962#P19))
- **Died:** 13 July 1980 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q219962#P570))
- **Place of death:** Gaborone ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q219962#P20))
- **Citizenship:** Botswana; Bechuanaland Protectorate ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q219962#P27))
- **Occupation:** politician; lawyer; freedom fighter ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q219962#P106))
- **Political party:** Botswana Democratic Party ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q219962#P102))
- **Education:** University of Fort Hare; Balliol College; Tiger Kloof Educational Institute; Lovedale; University of the Witwatersrand; Adams College ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q219962#P69))
- **Spouse:** Ruth Williams Khama ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q219962#P26))
- **Positions held:** President of Botswana (30 September 1966 – 13 July 1980); Prime Minister of Botswana (3 March 1965 – 30 September 1966) ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q219962#P39))
- **Awards:** Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire; Nansen Refugee Award; Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q219962#P166))

## Questions

**When was Seretse Khama born?**  
Seretse Khama was born on 1 July 1921 in Serowe.

**What positions has Seretse Khama held?**  
Positions held by Seretse Khama include: President of Botswana (1966–1980); Prime Minister of Botswana (1965–1966).

**Where did Seretse Khama study?**  
Seretse Khama was educated at University of Fort Hare, Balliol College, Tiger Kloof Educational Institute, Lovedale.

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## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Seretse Khama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seretse_Khama) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q219962](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q219962) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Seretse Khama 1977 (2).png by European Communities Director: Allan Watson Architect: Jean Polak,Jean Gilson,Lucien De Vestel,André Polak (CC BY 4.0)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Seretse_Khama_1977_(2).png)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Seretse Khama, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Seretse Khama 1977 (2).png — European Communities Director: Allan Watson Architect: Jean Polak,Jean Gilson,Lucien De Vestel,André Polak, CC BY 4.0.

## Cite this page

"Seretse Khama". DigiNepal. Last updated 8 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/seretse-khama. Retrieved 10 November 2026.