Ruth Williams Khama

Ruth Williams was born on December 9, 1923 in Meadowcourt Road, Eltham South London to George and Dorothy Williams. Her father served as the captain of the British Army in India. She had a sister, Muriel Williams-Sanderson.

She received her early education from Eltham Hill Grammar School. What made her different from her counterparts was her exemplary display of courage and valour from a young age.

In 1940, when Luftwaffe bombed London, Williams, who was in her teens, undertook fire watching duties. Two years later, during the Second World War, she served as a Women Auxiliary Air Force’s ambulance driver at various airfields of England.

Post war, Ruth Williams took up the position of a clerk for Cuthbert Heath, an insurance firm in London. A casual invitation from her sister in June 1947 to a dance for some students from Africa organized by the London Missionary Society changed Williams’ life completely. Little did she know before going to the performance that it would be a life-changing event for her!

It was on the fateful evening that Williams first met Prince Seretse Khama, a law student at Balliol College, Oxford. He was an heir to the kingship of the Bangwato people in the British protectorate of Bechuanaland (now Botswana).

Immediately after meeting, Seretse and Williams found themselves attracted to each other. Despite being from different racial backgrounds, they couldn’t help but fall in love with each other. However, just as expected, the conservative society did not approve of their union and their relationship was met with hostility from both their families, especially her father and Seretse’s uncle, Tshekedi Khama.

Williams’ and Seretse’s relationship hit the headlines and gained political limelight. From tribal elders in Bechuanaland to the governments of South Africa and Britain, everybody opposed the marriage as it was against the newly established system of apartheid or racial segregation.

To discourage the marriage, governmental officials even blocked their church wedding with the help of London Missionary Society and the Church of England. Despite the ban, Williams and Seretse registered their marriage officially in 1948.

When Seretse was called to London, Ruth Williams was pregnant with their first child. The Bangwato people were suspicious of Britain’s intentions and thus kept Williams in Bechuanaland. William gave birth to their daughter Jacqueline in Seretse’s absence.

Soon after giving birth to their baby, Williams moved to London to live with her exiled husband. In 1953, their second child Ian was born. In 1958, twins Anthony and Tshekedi were born in Bechuanaland.

Their sons Ian and Tshekedi grew up to become politicians in Botswana. In 2008, Ian Khama was elected as the President of Botswana.