Sebetwane

Sebetwane
Born	Sebetwane c. 1790-1800
Died	July 7, 1851 Barotseland
Other names	Sebitwane and Sibutuane
Known for	establishing Makololo nation
Title	King (chief) of the Makololo tribe
Successor	Queen Mamochisane
Spouse	Queen Kololo
Children	Queen Mamochisane King Sekeletu Prince Mpepe
Relatives	Prince Litali (grandson)

Sebetwane (born c. 1790-1800 - died July 7, 1851) was a Southern African king, Basotho chief. He established the large and powerful Makololo nation in what is now southwestern Zambia after an arduous migration from his original home - Free State Province.

Names

King's names also can be written as Sebitwane or Sibutuane.

Biography

Sebetwane was a great ruler. After briefly settling near the Victoria Falls, in 1838 he passed the Zambesi River and conquered the Lozi's kingdom. He was both able to conciliate Makololo and Lozi and repel two attacks brought against him by Mzilikazi, king of the Ndebele. He died on July 7, 1851, shortly after meeting at Linyati, his capital, the explorer David Livingstone, with whom he developed a warm friendship.

Personality

Distinguished as both a warrior and a statesman, Sebetwane was able to consolidate his military gains by his generous and just treatment of the conquered peoples. He maintained a peaceful kingdom.

Family

Sebetwane had a wife called Kololo. He named tribe Makololo after her, because she was his favourite wife. He was succeeded by his daughter Mamochisane, who soon stepped down in favour of her half-brother Sekeletu. He also had a son named Mpepe, who was an enemy of Sekeletu, and grandson called Litali.

References

• Encyclopædia Britannica, "Sebetwane", (2000)

External links

• Makololo interregnum and the legacy of David Livingstone (PDF)