The warrior kings of Botswana

Rather, it was hard work, great military and economic savvy, and the patient character inherent in its people that steered this once poor, dusty and mostly barren land into Africa's glittering success. But while we celebrate the coming of age of Botswana, little, and in some cases infrequent, attention is paid to the men who risked all, even to the point of death and humility, to secure a land for them and future generations to call home; except come Independence Day, of course!

This gives credence to the adage that there is little or no remembrance of men of old. Due to space restraint, this will not be the whole story, as numerable sons and daughters of this land contributed greatly towards its emergence as Botswana, but this is just part of the story to highlight a few Batswana who led from the frontlines in very dangerous and defining times.