Kgari Sechele II | |
---|---|
Born | 1904 |
Died | 19 September 1962 |
Title | Kgosi of the Bakwena |
Term | 1931โ1962 |
Predecessor | Sebele II |
Successor | Neale Sechele |
Father | Sechele II |
Kgari Kealeboga Sechele II (1904โ19 September 1962) was a kgosi of the Kwena tribe in the Bechuanaland Protectorate (modern day Botswana) from 1931 until his death in 1962. He was appointed to the position by the British colonial administration after it deposed his elder brother Sebele II.
Kgari was seen as illegitimate by the Bakwena, causing him to adopt a strict leadership style to maintain control. He depended heavily on the colonial administration to remain in power, which further affected his popular image. His popularity increased in the 1930s after the death of his predecessor gave him legitimacy, and he became a war hero after joining the African Auxiliary Pioneer Corps to fight in World War II. A succession crisis occurred after Kgari's death until the colonial administration appointed his younger brother Neale Sechele as kgosi.