Rulers: Botswana
Traditional polities
Note: This record refers to the "eight principal tribes"; all except the baMalete are ethnic baTswana, and their ruling lines are genealogically related. Other baTswana tribes and segments of tribes are recorded under South African traditional polities. Forms of names following = are "Europeanized" forms used in extra-tribal contexts.
baRôlông
c.1760 baRôlông bTshidi segment separates from
other baRôlông segments (for which
see South African traditional polities)
Chiefs (title Kgôsi)
c.1760 - c.1775 Tshidi a Tau (b. ... - d. c.1775)
c.1775 - c.1785 Thutlwa a Tshidi (b. ... - d. c.1785)
c.1785 - c.1790 Makgêtla a Tau (acting) (b. ... - d. c.1790)
c.1790 - 1815 Lesomo a Tshidi (acting) (b. 17... - d. 1818)
1815 - 1848 Tawana a Tlhutlwa (b. c.1775 - d. 1849)
1848 - 1849 Makgêtla a Tshidi (acting)
1849 - 19 Oct 1896 Montshiwa a Tau (b. c.1815 - d. 1896)
1896 - 1903 Bêsêlê I a Montshiwa = Wessels (b. ... - d. 1903)
(acting)
1903 - 1911 Badirile a Montshiwa (acting) (b. ... - d. 1911)
1911 - 1915 Lekôkô a Marumolwa (acting)
1915 - 1917 Joshua a Molêma (acting)
1917 - 1919 Bakolopang a Montshiwa (acting) (b. ... - d. 1919)
1919 - 1954 Lotlamoreng I a Kebalepile
a Montshiwa
1954 - 19.. Tiêgo Tawana a Selere (acting)
19.. - 1970 Kebalepile a Lotlamoreng
= Kebalepile Montshiwa
1970 - 1977 Bêsêlê II a Kebalepile
= Besele Montshiwa (1st time) (b. ... - d. 2001)
1977 - 1982 R. Motlhatledi
("Tribal Authority")
1982 - 17 Jun 2001 Bêsêlê II a Kebalepile
= Besele Montshiwa (2nd time) (s.a.)
23 Feb 2002 - Lotlamoreng II
= Lotlamoreng Montshiwa (b. 1976?)
baKwêna
Chiefs (title Kgôsi)
c.1770 - c.1785 Motswasele I a Lekgwajane (b. ... - d. c.1785)
c.1785 - c.1795 Seitlhamo a Motswasele (b. ... - d. c.1795)
c.1795 - c.1803 Legwale a Seitlhamo (b. ... - d. c.1803)
c.1803 - 1805 Maleke a Seitlhamo (acting)
1805 - 1807 Tshosa a Seitlhamo (acting) (b. ... - d. c.1828?)
1807 - 1822 Motswasele II a Legwale (b. c.1785 - d. 1822)
1822 - 1827 Morwakgomo a Tshosa (b. ... - d. 1828)
Split into three segments (1827-53):
(1)
1827 - 1834 Kgama a Legwale (b. ... - d. c.1834)
(2)
1827 - 1845 Bobi a Tshosa (b. ... - d. 1845)
1845 - 1853 Kgakge a Tshosa
(3)
1827 - 1829 Segokotlo a Legwale (acting) (b. ... - d. 1829)
1829 - 1831 Molesê a Legwale (acting) (b. ... - d. 1831)
1831 - 1853 Setshele I a Motswasele
"Rra Mokonopi" (b. c.1815 - d. 1892)
1853 - 25 Sep 1892 Setshele I a Motswasele
"Rra Mokonopi" (s.a.)
1892 - 23 Jan 1911 Sebele I a Setshele (b. 1840/45 - d. 1911)
1911 - 1918 Setshele II Kealeboga a Sebele (b. 1875 - d. 1918)
1918 - 1931 Sebele II Kelebantse a Setshele (b. 1892 - d. 1939)
1931 - 1962 Kgari a Setshele (b. 1904 - d. 1962)
(acting to 195...)
1963 - 21 Sep 1970 Neale a Baruti = Neale Sechele (b. 1916 - d. 1985)
Oct 1970 - 1978 Bonewamang a Padi
= Bonewamang Padi Sechele (b. 1926 - d. 1978)
1979 - 19.. Setshele III = Mack Sechele
19.. - Mar 1996 Moithali a Setshele
= Mothali Sechele
1996 - Jan 2002 Kgosikwêna a Sebele
= Kgosikwena Sechele (acting)
17 Aug 2002 - Kgari II a Bonewamang
= Kgari Sechele (b. 1974?)
baNgwaketse
1750 baKwêna baNgwaketse established in their
permanent territory
Chiefs (title Kgôsi)
1750 - 1770 Mongala a Makaba (b. ... - d. 1770)
1770 - 1790 Moleta a Mongala
1790 - 1817 Makaba II a Moleta "Rramaomana" (b. c.1760 - d. 1824)
Split into two segments (1817-57):
(1)
1817 - 1824 Makaba II a Moleta "Rramaomana" (s.a.)
1824 - 1844 Sebêgô a Makaba (acting) (b. c.1795 - d. 1844)
1844 - 1857 Senthufe a Sebêgô (b. ... - d. 1885)
(2)
1817 - 1823 Tshosaa Makaba (b. ... - d. 1823)
1823 - 1845 Segotshane a Makaba (acting) (b. ... - d. 1885)
1845 - 1857 Gaseitsiwe a Tshosa (b. 1810/20 - d. 1889)
1857 - Jul 1889 Gaseitsiwe a Tshosa (s.a.)
1889 - 1 Jul 1910 Bathoen I a Gaseitsiwe (b. 1845 - d. 1910)
1910 - 1916 Seêpapitsô III a Bathoen (b. 1884 - d. 1916)
1916 - 1918 Kgosimotse a Gaseitsiwe (acting) (b. ... - d. 1918)
1918 - 1919 Malope I a Makaba (acting) (b. ... - d. 1919)
1919 - 1923 Tshosa Sebêgô a Keemanao (acting)
1923 - 1924 Gagoangwe a Setshele (f) (acting) (b. 1848 - d. 1924)
1924 - 1928 Ntebogang a Bathoen (f) (acting) (b. 1882 - d. 1979)
1928 - 1 Jul 1969 Bathoen II a Seêpapitsô
= Bathoen Seepapitso Gaseitsiwe (b. 1908 - d. 1990)
16 Jan 1970 - 24 Mar 2010 Seêpapitsô IV a Bathoen
= Seepapitso Bathoen Gaseitsiwe (b. 1933 - d. 2010)
1973 - 1974 Mokgami a Seêpapitsô
= Mokgami Gaseitsiwe
(acting for suspended Seêpapitsô)
2000 - 22 Apr 2003 Seatla Gaseitsiwe (acting) (b. ... - d. 2003)
Sep 2003 - 1 Sep 2004 Kgabosetso II Mosielele (acting)
2010 - Malope II a Gaseitsiwe (b. 1964?)
baNgwato
1780 baNgwato (bamaNgwato) established in their permanent territory
Chiefs (title Kgôsi)
1780 - 1795 Mathiba a Moleta (b. c.1755/60 - d. 1795)
1795 - 1817 Kgama I a Mathiba (b. c.1775/80 - d. 1817)
1817 - 1828 Kgari a Kgama "Pebane" (b. c.1790 - d. 1828)
1828 - 1833 Sedimo a Molosiwa (acting) (b. ... - d. 1833)
1833 - 1835 Khama II a Kgari (b. ... - d. 1835)
1835 - 1857 Sekgoma I a Kgari "Mnaphiri"
(1st time) (b. c.1815 - d. 1883)
1857 - 1859 Matsheng a Kgari (1st time) (b. c.1830 - d. c.1873)
1859 - 1866 Sekgoma I a Kgari "Mnaphiri"
(2nd time) (s.a.)
1866 - 1872 Matsheng a Kgari (2nd time) (s.a.)
1872 - 1873 Kgama III Boikanyo a Sekgoma
= Khama (1st time) (b. 1837 - d. 1923)
1873 - 1875 Sekgoma I a Kgari "Mnaphiri"
(3rd time) (s.a.)
1875 - 21 Feb 1923 Kgama III Boikanyo a Sekgoma
= Khama (2nd time) (s.a.)
21 Feb 1923 - 17 Nov 1925 Sekgoma II a Kgama "Leraraetsa" (b. 1869 - d. 1925)
17 Nov 1925 - 19 Jan 1926 Gorewang a Kgamane
(chairman Council of Regency)
19 Jan 1926 - 14 Sep 1933 Tshêkêdi a Kgama = Tshekedi Khama
(1st time) (regent) (b. 1905 - d. 1959)
Sep 1933 - 4 Oct 1933 Serogola a Gagoitsege
(acting regent)
4 Oct 1933 - 23 Jun 1949 Tshêkêdi a Kgama = Tshekedi Khama
(2nd time) (regent) (s.a.)
23 Jun 1949 - 8 Mar 1950 Sêrêtsê a Sekgoma a Kgama
= Seretse Khama (b. 1921 - d. 1980)
(not recognized by protectorate authority;
renounces claim 26 Sep 1956)
13 Mar 1950 - 26 May 1952 Keabôka Kgamane ("African Authority")
13 May 1953 - May 1964 Rrasebolai a Gorewang "George"
= Rasebolai Kgamane (b. 1907 - d. 1973)
("African Authority")
May 1964 - 1974 Leeapeetswe a Tshêkêdi
= Leeapeetswe Khama (b. 1939 - d. 1987)
("Tribal Authority" to 1969)
1974 - 1979 Mokgatsha Mokgadi
("Tribal Authority")
5 May 1979 - Ian a Sêrêtsê = Ian Khama (b. 1953)
baTawana (Ngamiland)
Chiefs (title Kgôsi)
1795 - 1820 Tawana I a Mathiba "Mpuru" (b. ... - d. c.1820)
1820 - 1828 Morêmi I a Tawana (b. ... - d. 1828)
1828 - 1840 Sedumedi a Morêmi (acting)
1840 - 1847 Mogalakwe a Tawana (acting)
1847 - 1874 Letsholathêbê I a Morêmi (b. c.1820 - d. 1874)
1875 - 1876 Mênô a Moremi (acting)
1876 Dithapô a Mênô (1st time) (acting)
1876 - 4 Nov 1890 Morêmi II a Letsholathêbê (b. 1852/55 - d. 1890)
1890 - 1891 Dithapô a Mênô (2nd time) (acting)
1891 - 1906 Sekgoma a Letsholathêbê (b. c.1870 - d. 1914)
(acting; pretends to be kgôsi)
1906 Sekgathôlê a Letsholathêbê
(acting)
1906 - 1932 Mathiba a Morêmi (b. 1880 - d. 1933)
1932 - 1934 Monaamaburu a Letsholathêbê
(acting)
1934 - 1936 Dibolayang a Weetshoetsile
(acting)
1936 - 1937 Gaetsalwe a Morêmi (acting)
1937 - 1946 Morêmi III a Mathiba "Mawelawela" (b. 1915 - d. 1946)
1947 - 1958 Elizabeth Pulane Seeco (f)
= Pulane Moremi (acting) (b. 1912 - d. 1981)
1958 - 1981 Letsholathêbê II a Morêmi (b. 1940 - d. 1981)
1981 - 1995 Mathiba a Morêmi (acting) (b. 1941 - d. 2008)
1 Jul 1995 - Tawana II a Letsholathêbê (b. 1969)
baKgatla
16.. baKgatla bagaKgafêla segment separated from rest of tribe
Chiefs (title Kgôsi)
c.1770 - c.1790 Molefê a Kgwêfane (b. ... - d. c.1790)
c.1790 - c.1795 Mmakgotso a Kgwêfane (acting)
c.1795 - c.1810 Phetô II Ramphojane a Molefê (b. ... - d. c.1810)
c.1810 - c.1815 Senwêlô a Molefê (1st time)
(acting)
c.1815 - c.1820 Letsêbê a Phetô (b. ... - d. c.1820)
c.1820 - 1821 Senwêlô a Molefê (2nd time)
(acting)
1821 - 1824 Motlotle a Molefê (acting)
1824 - 1853 Pilane a Phetô (b. c.1790 - d. 1853?)
1833 Kgotlamaswê a Phetô
(in rebellion)
1853 - May 1875 Kgamanyane a Pilane (b. 1820/25 - d. 1875)
May 1875 - 1876 Bogatsu a Pilane (acting)
1876 - 25 Oct 1924 Lentswe I a Kgamanyane (b. c.1857 - d. 1924)
1924 - 1929 Isang a Lentswe = Isang Pilani
(acting) (b. c.1885 - d. 1941)
1929 - 1936 Molefi a Kgafêla = Molefi Pilane
(1st time) (b. 1909 - d. 1958)
1936 - 1942 Mmusi a Kgafêla = Mmusi Pilane
(1st time) (acting) (b. 1915 - d. 2006)
1942 - 1945 Council of Regency
- Bakgatla a Letswe
- Molefi a Segale
- Amos Kgamanyane a Mogale (b. 1888 - d. 1984)
1945 - 1958 Molefi a Kgafêla = Molefi Pilane
(2nd time) (s.a.)
1958 - 1963 Mmusi a Kgafêla = Mmusi Pilane
(2nd time) (acting) (s.a.)
6 Apr 1963 - 21 Aug 2007 Lentswe II a Molefi
= Linchwe Molefi Kgafela (b. 1935 - d. 2007)
21 Aug 2007 - 20 Sep 2008 Mothibe Linchwe (acting)
20 Sep 2008 - Kgafela II (b. 1971)
baLete
c.1780 baLete (baMalete) established in their permanent territory
Chiefs (title Kgôsi)
... - ... Pôwê I a Marumo
... - c.1805 Mokgôjwe a Pôwê (acting)
c.1805 - c.1830 Pôwê II a Mokgôjwe (b. ... - d. c.1830)
c.1830 - 1886 Mokgôsi I a Pôwê (b. ... - d. 1886)
1886 - 1896 Ikaneng a Mokgôsi (b. ... - d. 1896)
1896 - 1906 Mokgôsi II a Ikaneng (b. ... - d. 1906)
1906 - 1917 Baitlotle a Ikaneng (acting)
1917 - 1937 Seboko I a Mokgôsi (b. ... - d. 1937)
1937 - 1945 Ketswerebothata a Mokgôsi (acting)
1945 - 1966 Mokgôsi III a Seboko (b. 1920 - d. 1966)
1966 - 1996 Kelemogile a Seboko
= Kelemogile Mokgosi (acting)
1 Jun 1996 - 21 Jun 2001 Seboko II a Mokgôsi (b. 1959 - d. 2001)
21 Jun 2001 - 7 Jan 2002 Tumelo a Seboko (acting)
7 Jan 2002 - Mosadi a Mokgôsi
= Mosadi Muriel Seboko (f) (b. 1950)
baTlôkwa
Chiefs (title Kgôsi)
c.1780 - c.1815 Bogatsu a Makaba (b. ... - d. c.1815)
c.1815 - 1823 Kgosi I a Bogatsu
1823 - 1826 Lesagê a Kgosi (acting) (b. ... - d. c.1851)
1826 - 1835 Bashê a Kgosi (acting) (b. ... - d. 1835)
1835 - 1880 Matlapeng Ramoswana a Kgosi (b. ... - d. 1880)
1880 - 1931 Gaborone a Matlapeng (b. c.1825 - d. 1931)
1931 - 1948 Matlala a Molefê a Gaborone (b. ... - d. 1948)
1948 - 1973 Kgosi II a Matlala
= Kgosi Matlala Gaborone (b. 1905 - d. 1973)
1973 - 1975 Kema = Kema Gaborone (acting)
1975 - 1989 Monare Gaborone (acting)
1989 - 31 Oct 2005 Moshibidu Gaborone (b. 1943 - d. 2005)
31 Oct 2005 - 30 May 2006 Michael Gaborone (acting)
30 May 2006 - Puso Gaborone (b. 1974?)