Seretse Khama, Botswana lawyer and politician, 1st President of Botswana (born 1921)
Seretse Khama
Sir Seretse Goitsebeng Maphiri Khama, GCB, KBE was a Motswana politician who served as the first President of Botswana, a post he held from 1966 to his death in 1980.
President of Botswana
The president of the Republic of Botswana is the head of state and the head of government of Botswana, as well as the commander-in-chief of the Botswana Defence Force, according to the Constitution. The president is elected by the National Assembly, the sole house of the Parliament, and is usually the leader of the largest party. The Constitution limits the president's tenure to two five-year terms. The first president to be elected under the constitution was Sir Seretse Khama, who was the prime minister from 1965 until 1966, after which he served as president until his death on 13 July, 1980. Sir Seretse was the subject of the 2016 film "A United Kingdom", which highlighted his fight against Apartheid-style policies that sought to prevent him from assuming his role as Chieftain of his tribe while Botswana was still the Protectorate of Bechuanaland. The most recent incumbent is Duma Boko, who was elected by the National Assembly on 1 November 2024 following the 2024 general election. The president may be removed by a motion of no confidence.