Colour Bar (52 page)

6. Seretse and Ruth sharing a meal with Seretse's friend Kgosi Mokgosi of the Balete. Above the fireplace are Seretse's law books; the kittens play on the antelope skin rug.

7. Seretse and his lawyer Percy Fraenkel at a kgotla to discuss his summons to London, February 1950. ‘Elders urged Seretse to turn down the invitation… If he did decide to go he should leave Ruth behind.'

8. ‘We have come to tell you we are happy our Mother has stayed with us' – Bangwato women bring gifts of food and water to Ruth, who is six months pregnant, after Seretse's departure.

9. Gathered round the radio while Seretse is in London. News of his exile was immediately broadcast to Africa over the BBC.

10. A rally in Trafalgar Square, March 1950, organized by the Seretse Khama Fighting Committee to protest at Seretse's banishment, which was seen to highlight the evil of the colour bar in Britain and her colonies.

11. Daniel Malan, Prime Minister of South Africa and architect of apartheid, at tea with his family in Pretoria, 1950. He called on the British Government to exile Seretse and his white wife.

12. From Victoria Falls to Southampton Marine Airport: the Khama family disembark the flyingboat to start their exile, August 1950.

13. Ruth, Seretse's sister Naledi (centre), and Seretse, with Ruth's family. Ruth's sister Muriel holds baby Jacqueline, her father is second from left, and her mother stands by Seretse (1950-51).

14. Seretse and Ruth with Jacqueline, nearly three, and baby Seretse Khama Ian, shortly after his birth in February 1953.

15. The Bangwato delegation to London. The six men, including Seretse's uncle Peto Sekgoma (second from left), arrive on 9 April 1952 to plead for Seretse's return.

16. The Council for the Defence of Seretse Khama, created 1952. Seated from left: Canon John Collins, Jennie Lee MP, Seretse Khama, Fenner Brockway, Ruth Khama, Jo Grimond MP. Standing: Reg Sorenson MP is far left, Tony Benn MP fourth from left, and George Williams (Ruth's father) seventh; Learie Constantine is eighth from right, Dorothy Williams (Ruth's mother) is sixth, and Muriel Williams is third.

17. Seretse talks of his hopes at a press conference, 1956 – ‘to assist my people to develop a democratic system, to raise our standard of life, and to establish a happy and healthy nationhood'. Three-yearold Ian is in the foreground.

18. A jubilant Seretse at London airport on his way back to Africa, sharing a joke with Ruth, Muriel (centre) and Clement Freud (left).