VISIONARY TSHEKEDI: He sacrificed a lot for Batswana - Dr. Ramsay
The late Kgosi Tshekedi Khama was a tireless figure in his promotion of the political, social, and economic development of Batswana.
Historian Dr. Jeff Ramsay said Tshekedi Khama was at the same time supporting the struggles of indigenous communities elsewhere. Dr. Ramsay said that Tshekedi’s leadership, between 1926 and 1959, is further reflected in fostering and maintaining a territory-wide alliance of the protectorate Dikgosi.
Speaking about the legacy of Kgosi
Tshekedi Khama on the 117th anniversary of his birth, as well as the 70th anniversary of Pilikwe Village over the weekend in Pilikwe, Dr. Ramsay indicated that the collective accomplishment of the ‘Magosi United’ team that he captained over two generations included securing the formation of the Legislative Council and democratised African Council as vehicles for limited self-government.
He said that this in turn paved the way for the formation of political parties, full non-racial democracy, and independence.
According to Ramsay, there are two modest-size documents that best reflect Tshekedi’s genius and continuing relevance. These are in his 1945 ‘Memorandum for the Productive Development of the Bechuanaland Protectorate’ in which he “concisely presented a practical vision for the still unrealised goal of economic independence of our country; and the April 1946 ‘the Case of Bechaunaland’ contains his groundbreaking affirmation that consistent with the United Nations (UN) Charter, local leaders of still colonised Africa had the right, ‘locus standi’, to have their views heard and considered by the world body not simply as witnesses but having the status of representatives of ‘concerned states”.
He stated that Tshekedi laid out his vision for the post-world war II development of Botswana. Tshekedi went on to propose a ‘General Development Plan’ of targeted investments in education, transport, agriculture, livestock and crops, and mineral development.
“Concerning education, he affirmed his intention to construct a secondary school that would integrate academic and vocational subjects with emphasis on agricultural training.
“He also proposed that priority be given to the accelerated construction of a ‘Bechuanaland Protectorate Maternity Hospital and training centre’ for nurses. “To promote livestock
development, he advocated that in addition to commercial abattoir a canning and frozen factory be established to facilitate beef exports”, he said.
Dr. Ramsay revealed that in terms of horticulture, Tshekedi advocated the piloting of irrigated agriculture in the Nata region. He said Tshekedi Khama understood that economic independence was not in terms of market isolationism, but rather the build-up of productive capacity that would ensure increased revenues and local employment through growth in balanced trade.
He explained that Tshekedi achieved a lot during his abbreviated life against immense odds.