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Title:Batswana 'dikgosi' (chiefs) and the incorporation of South West Africa into the Union of South Africa, 1946: what business did they have in the issue?
Author:Mokopakgosi, Brian T.ISNI
Year:2013
Periodical:Journal of Namibian Studies (ISSN 1863-5954)
Volume:13
Pages:55-77
Language:English
Geographic terms:Namibia
Botswana
South Africa
Subjects:traditional rulers
protectorates
strategic policy
Abstract:The paper recounts the story of some African chiefs ('dikgosi') in what was then Bechuanaland Protectorate (now Botswana) who used their meagre resources in 1946 to block the incorporation of another colonial territory (Namibia) into the Union of South Africa. The paper argues that the action of the Batswana dikgosi was far from being a progressive and selfless act on their part, but a skilful strategy to block the incorporation of their own protectorate. It was in fact part of a long-standing strategy of using anything that would remove the chances of incorporation. The paper further suggests that the dikgosi's lawyer, Douglas Buchanan, may have also been part of the campaign; a man who skilfully weaved the dikgosi's fear of the incorporation of their own country into the broader regional and international politics. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. [Journal abstract]
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