Notes: | As part of a tour of England Chief Khama, of Bechuanaland (later Botswana), along with Chiefs Bathoen and Sebele, visited Sheffield in October 1895. They had come to England to make their case to be under the jurisdiction of the British government, rather than the British South Africa Company.
Whilst in Sheffield they visited the works of Joseph Rodgers and Sons at Norfolk Street, where they were presented with pocketknives. After visiting the works, they walked along Norfolk Street to Mappin and Webb's works, where they were presented with cutlery and further pocketknives. Khama was given an especially designed hunting knife.
After the visits to the works the party were entertained by Batty Langley, MP at the Albany Hotel, followed by a visit to Shipman and Company, steel and iron manufacturers at Attercliffe Road. During their visit the chiefs addressed a large crowd at Sheffield's Albert Hall.
Information from Sheffield Independent, 29 Oct 1895 (page 5) and Sheffield Evening Telegraph, 28 Oct 1895 (page 3).
Caption: Khama, Chief of the Bamangwato, rules over a large territory on the north-western Transvaal [now Botswana]. He was educated by the late Dr. Moffatt, the celebrated missionary, and is much the most enlightened of the native rulers, a man of high principles and devoted to the good of his people. In 1895 he paid an historical visit to England, in company with Bathoen and Sebele, when the three chiefs were received by Queen Victoria and my Mr Chamberlain. The visit resulted in Khama retaining his independence. |