But Khama, a devoted Christian, did not believe his wife's death was due to some 'ill-spirits' despite his son, Sekgoma and part of morafe labelling the death of the Queen Mother as a sign of ill-omen of this place. He got married again to a woman called Sefakwane, according to our rather reluctant guide, Tonkana (no last name offered). A few years into the new marriage tragedy struck Khama's house again as Sefakwane died too.
Our guide narrates that it was not only Khama who was burying wives, the mothers were also losing their children due to what was believed to be malaria fever. Life at Phalatswe was getting desperate as drought suddenly hit Khama's new capital. Things went from bad to worse as water, too, which initially attracted Khama to this place, dried up. There were also fever outbreaks, locusts wiping of Bangwato's harvest and their heightened agitation with this 'unlucky' place. In June 1902 Khama could not bear it anymore as he eventually decided to move his capital to Serowe near the Swaneng Hills. It is recorded that when the exodus was completed, Khama sent a regiment to burn down Phalatswe.
