Bathoen II, who ruled from 1928 to 1969 when he abdicated, is one of the celebrated political icons in Botswana history, having been actively involved in both traditional and contemporary politics. Bathoen II was thrust into the political arena when his father, Seepapitso III, was assassinated by his jealous brother, Moepapitso, when he was still a child. The kgosi, who some historians describe as 'stubborn, authoritarian, but hard working' was formally installed as a kgosi in 1928. In the 1930s, he and Kgosi Tshekedi Khama of the Bangwato were regarded as the most influential chiefs in Botswana who worked tirelessly to oppose Resident Commissioner, Charles Rey's proclamations that sought to greatly reduce the powers of the Dikgosi. Initially, Kgari Sechele of the Bakwena (then, a senior morafe among Tswana-speaking merafe) was supposed to support the duo in this enterprise, but backtracked.
Although at first it seemed Bathoen II's and Tshekedi Khama's efforts were all in vain when Charles Arden-Clark took over as Resident Commissioner in 1937, he would agree that the proclamations were ill - conceived.
