Khama is the son of Botswana's founding president, Sir Seretse Khama and his English wife Ruth Williams, whose marriage in 1948 caused so much controversy that Seretse was banned from the Bangwato chieftainship for several years. (See New African October 2007). Sir Seretse, who became the country's first president at independence in 1966, is still much revered.

Ian Khama, who first entered parliament in 1988, has been vice-president for the past 10 years and chairperson of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) since 2003. He was catapulted from the army into the post of vice-president by President Mogae amid grumbles from senior party officials who considered themselves better qualified for the post. He has also previously served as commander of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF). He is so dedicated to his army roots that he insists on being addressed as Lieutenant-General. Born on 27 February 1953, Khama spent his early childhood in England where his parents were living in exile. He was brought to Botswana at independence in 1966 when his father took office. Khama spent some of his school years in the then Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe)


Biography of Seretse Khama Ian Khama, President of BOTSWANA