The Establishment Of The Protectorate (Part 9) � �The Bramstone Memorandum�

In our last episode we left off at the February 1889 Kopong Conference, where the southern dikgosi, led by Bathoen I, Linchwe I, and Sebele I but also including Gaborone I of Batlokwa, Ikaneng I of Balete and Baitirile I of the Bakgatla baga Mmanaana, joined together to oppose the increasing British presence in their territories. Khama III, however, broke ranks and promised “to help the English government in every way”.

Disappointed by the “defiant attitude” of the majority, the British Administrator, Shippard, broke up the conference. In his report he noted:

“Khama who is thoroughly loyal and sincerely attached to the English appears to be completely isolated. He is left out of all the private meetings of the Protectorate Chiefs and seems to be regarded by them with suspicion and dislike as the white man’s friend.”

Editor's Comment
The people have spoken

In fact, early election results in some areas across the country, speak to large voter turnout which suggests that voters crowded at polling stations to decide appropriately. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) revealed that 80% of the 1,037,684 people who had registered to vote turned up to exercise their right.It’s unfortunate that at the time of cobbling this editorial comment, results had just started trickling in. We recognise that...

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