Seretse Khama�s Friend Dies

Oarabile Mosikare | Monday March 24, 2014 17:46

 

 

The left-wing Labour representative became a member of the House of Commons, the seat of legislative power in Britain, in 1950.

After the British government banned Khama from returning to Botswana following his marriage to copy typist Ruth Williams, Benn steered a motion through a Labour party conference calling for a lifting of the sanction.

Eventually, Khama and Ruth, the parents of the current President Ian Khama would be allowed back home, after heavy pressure on the British administration by activists, including Benn.

Khama, the then heir to the Bamangwato throne, named one of his twin sons, Anthony in honour of Benn. Anthony Neil Wedgwood Benn was born in London on April 3, 1925.

Three sons, Stephen, Hilary and Joshua, and a daughter, Melissa, survive him. The late Benn left government in 2001 after serving for 47 years as an MP.