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Colour Bar: The Triumph of Seretse Khama and His Nation
Sir Seretse Khama, the first President of Botswana and heir apparent to the kingship of the Bangwato people, brought independence and great prosperity to his nation after colonial rule. But for six long years from 1950, Seretse had been forced into exile in England, banned from his own country. His crime? To fall in love and marry a young, white English girl, Ruth Williams. Delving into newly released records, Susan Williams tells Seretse and Ruth's story—a shocking account of how the British Government conspired with apartheid South Africa to prevent the mixed-race royal couple returning home. But it is also an inspiring, triumphant tale of hope, courage, and true love as with tenacity and great dignity Seretse and Ruth and the Bangwato people overcome prejudice in their fight for justice.
407 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
101 people are currently reading
1632 people want to read
About the author
Susan Williams
30 books17 followersSusan Williams has published widely on Africa, decolonisation and the global power shifts of the twentieth century. Her widely acclaimed book on the founding president of Botswana, Colour Bar (Penguin, 2006), recently became a major motion picture (A United Kingdom). Who Killed Hammarskjöld? (2011) triggered a fresh UN inquiry into the death of the secretary general. She is a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
July 2, 2011
Imagine that your love affair causes international crisis. But your man still stands by you. He is exiled from his country, disowned by his closest relative but still refuses to let you go. Now, that's true love. I am not big on non fiction but this was really good.
Where did men like that go? I am not even asking a guy to abdicate for me, just flowers every now and then would do.
Where did men like that go? I am not even asking a guy to abdicate for me, just flowers every now and then would do.
April 24, 2017
This book made me angry, in the best possible way. Susan Williams recounts the lives of Ruth Williams, a middle-class woman from London, and Seretse Khama, heir to the throne of the Bangwato tribe in Botswana, and the extraordinary tale of what happened next after they married in 1949. Despite the fact that it should have been a private affair, and that Seretse was overwhelmingly proclaimed Kgosi (king) by his people, it was seized upon as a hated incident by the apartheid regime of neighbouring South Africa, who leveraged all its influence to persuade several British governments to block the couple at every turn. Extraordinary efforts were made in an attempt to break up the marriage, keep the couple apart, or simply to have Seretse removed as chief and exiled, all in the face of an overwhelming support for the couple amongst the Bangwato nation. Frankly, the blatant racism on display from certain officials is disgusting, and the lies they told in order to push this nonsense through is truly breathtaking.
The Khamas weathered all these trials with patience and love for one another, marshalling international public outrage, including in Britain itself, against the government’s actions, and eventually winning their case, and independence for Botswana. Today, they are remembered as the founders of a liberal, democratic Botswana, and I must say that Susan Williams did a truly exhaustive amount of research on the subject, collating thousands of governmental notes in order to pick apart how these policies were formed behind the scenes (warning: it does get a little dry in places). What this couple went through is appalling and outrageous. As for Seretse himself, reflecting back on everything he went through:
“Bitterness does not pay. Certain things have happened to all of us in the past and it is for us to forget those and to look to the future.”
8 out of 10
January 5, 2011
I might have rated this book a three-star because I think the story could have been written better, but I erred on the high side because the story itself is incredibly compelling - and is one that should be read by anyone interested in Africa. In many ways, Sir Seretse Khama seems to be the Nelson Mandela of Botswana. At a minimum, I would hope that his story would be as well-known as that of Mandela. Both men are very inspirational - and both give one hope for the Continent.
September 15, 2017
Sono molto contenta di aver comprato questo libro... e anche che ne abbiano fatto un film, sennò chissà quando mai sarebbe arrivato in Italia.
Whatever...
È incredibile la storia di Seretse Khama e di sua moglie Ruth, una coppia esiliata dal territorio del protettorato del Bechuanaland (futuro Botswana) per motivi razziali non per desiderio della popolazione indigena, ma del Sudafrica, a cui il governo britannico non ebbe coraggio o forza di opporsi. La loro colpa: amarsi pur avendo la pelle di colore diverso, crimine che un paese in cui si andava inasprendo l'apartheid era intollerabile.
Seretse Khama, capotribù per diritto ereditario, si trova esautorato e obbligato a vivere dall'altra parte del mondo in barba alla volontà e al benessere del suo popolo. Nonostante l'enorme ingiustizia subita, la coppia si batte per sei anni per poter rientrare nel paese, riuscendoci nel 1956, dove invece che arroccarsi per i propri diritti personali lancia il suo popolo verso la sfida della democrazia e dell'indipendenza, riuscendoci in un decennio. È una storia di moralità e di perdono incredibile, perché Khama, come Mandela, ha lavorato tutta la vita contro il razzismo, pensando a tutti i cittadini del suo nuovo paese, a prescindere dal colore e dal trattamento da questi ricevuto. Le peggiori situazioni di razzismo e di apartheid (più o meno ufficiale) in Africa meridionale sono state giustificate per decenni come necessarie per evitare le rappresaglie delle maggioranze nere tenute segregate, invece questi leader hanno saputo mettere da parte i desideri (anche naturali, diciamocelo) di vendetta per lavorare all'unità del paese.
Sono davvero contenta di aver letto questo saggio, che è scritto molto bene e con una minuziosità nel controllo delle fonti e dei documenti davvero impressionante. Riconosco la mia ignoranza in materia di storia africana, e sono contenta di aver imparato di più su un paese lontano come il Botswana. Lo consiglio molto.
Whatever...
È incredibile la storia di Seretse Khama e di sua moglie Ruth, una coppia esiliata dal territorio del protettorato del Bechuanaland (futuro Botswana) per motivi razziali non per desiderio della popolazione indigena, ma del Sudafrica, a cui il governo britannico non ebbe coraggio o forza di opporsi. La loro colpa: amarsi pur avendo la pelle di colore diverso, crimine che un paese in cui si andava inasprendo l'apartheid era intollerabile.
Seretse Khama, capotribù per diritto ereditario, si trova esautorato e obbligato a vivere dall'altra parte del mondo in barba alla volontà e al benessere del suo popolo. Nonostante l'enorme ingiustizia subita, la coppia si batte per sei anni per poter rientrare nel paese, riuscendoci nel 1956, dove invece che arroccarsi per i propri diritti personali lancia il suo popolo verso la sfida della democrazia e dell'indipendenza, riuscendoci in un decennio. È una storia di moralità e di perdono incredibile, perché Khama, come Mandela, ha lavorato tutta la vita contro il razzismo, pensando a tutti i cittadini del suo nuovo paese, a prescindere dal colore e dal trattamento da questi ricevuto. Le peggiori situazioni di razzismo e di apartheid (più o meno ufficiale) in Africa meridionale sono state giustificate per decenni come necessarie per evitare le rappresaglie delle maggioranze nere tenute segregate, invece questi leader hanno saputo mettere da parte i desideri (anche naturali, diciamocelo) di vendetta per lavorare all'unità del paese.
Sono davvero contenta di aver letto questo saggio, che è scritto molto bene e con una minuziosità nel controllo delle fonti e dei documenti davvero impressionante. Riconosco la mia ignoranza in materia di storia africana, e sono contenta di aver imparato di più su un paese lontano come il Botswana. Lo consiglio molto.
February 14, 2017
Brilliantly written historical analogy of Seretse and Lady Khama, though very little is said about Ruth in this installment.
Well researched bio of Sir Seretse Khama. Heavy on details, timelines and the sheer number of people involved in halting Seretse from his heirloom to creating an independent Botswana was overwhelming.
Susan must have gone through millions of archived documents just to get an outline of this story. So many people, white people, hell bent on destroying Seretse and Ruth's life together before it even begun.
South Africa's involvement was shocking. Reminded me of George Orwell's "1984", BIG BROTHER tendencies.
Seretse was a man of conviction. Such a steadfast resolute. Whatever challenge was hurled his way, he faced with a strong state of mind. A visionary who in Martin Luther's words "...had a dream".
What I took away from this book was that we, a black nation, are powerful beyond measure. The white man has been, for eons, systematically breaking us down. Planting seeds of doubt. Of inadequacy. Of negative self-belief. Of self-enslavement to ensure that "We stay in our place".
Sir Seretse Khama has demonstrated that a strong spirit plus a vision will unshackle the chains of enslavement. We are Kings and Queens of Africa. Let's reclaim our land. Fort Hare. The great university for Africans. So many presidents came through its gates.
Lady Ruth was portrayed as a supportive partner. A homemaker. A nurturer. She took a back seat and let Sir Seretse run with the wolves. Reading this in 2017, when the fight against patriarchal attitudes has intensified, I wonder now, should Lady Ruth's role be picked apart and looked at with a microscopic lens? What would I have her do in THAT era under THOSE circumstances? That is another topic for another day.
I've watched the biopic, "A United Kingdom". It was so different, approach-wise, from the book. The movie concentrated on the humanness of Sir Seretse and Lady Khama. It had emotional hooks. The love between Sir Seretse and Lady Ruth was visible for all to see. It seeped through their conversations. When Sir Seretse wax exiled in the UK, the anguish between the pair was like a cloak. Through their trials and tribulations, love was the glue that kept them together. Go watch it.
A well researched and executed writing.
☆☆☆☆ 4 BIG stars
Well researched bio of Sir Seretse Khama. Heavy on details, timelines and the sheer number of people involved in halting Seretse from his heirloom to creating an independent Botswana was overwhelming.
Susan must have gone through millions of archived documents just to get an outline of this story. So many people, white people, hell bent on destroying Seretse and Ruth's life together before it even begun.
South Africa's involvement was shocking. Reminded me of George Orwell's "1984", BIG BROTHER tendencies.
Seretse was a man of conviction. Such a steadfast resolute. Whatever challenge was hurled his way, he faced with a strong state of mind. A visionary who in Martin Luther's words "...had a dream".
What I took away from this book was that we, a black nation, are powerful beyond measure. The white man has been, for eons, systematically breaking us down. Planting seeds of doubt. Of inadequacy. Of negative self-belief. Of self-enslavement to ensure that "We stay in our place".
Sir Seretse Khama has demonstrated that a strong spirit plus a vision will unshackle the chains of enslavement. We are Kings and Queens of Africa. Let's reclaim our land. Fort Hare. The great university for Africans. So many presidents came through its gates.
Lady Ruth was portrayed as a supportive partner. A homemaker. A nurturer. She took a back seat and let Sir Seretse run with the wolves. Reading this in 2017, when the fight against patriarchal attitudes has intensified, I wonder now, should Lady Ruth's role be picked apart and looked at with a microscopic lens? What would I have her do in THAT era under THOSE circumstances? That is another topic for another day.
I've watched the biopic, "A United Kingdom". It was so different, approach-wise, from the book. The movie concentrated on the humanness of Sir Seretse and Lady Khama. It had emotional hooks. The love between Sir Seretse and Lady Ruth was visible for all to see. It seeped through their conversations. When Sir Seretse wax exiled in the UK, the anguish between the pair was like a cloak. Through their trials and tribulations, love was the glue that kept them together. Go watch it.
A well researched and executed writing.
☆☆☆☆ 4 BIG stars
October 9, 2008
Fantastic account of a Botswana icon. Our patron saint of this country (Botswana royal and first president of the republic), and a symbol of racial equality in Colonial Africa. This book will make you understand the meaning of the words "patience" and "perserverence", and does a fantastic job of shaming Colonial Britain, exposing the absolute madness and obscene lengths they went to to try and appease Apartheid South Africa during the 1950s. And love triumphs over all!
December 23, 2016
Really interesting book which uses the love story between Ruth and Seretse as a window into a broader story about imperialism and the right for nations to rule themselves.
December 25, 2017
Very detailed and informative but hard to read. So many names and positions it made it difficult to get into it. Amazing story but wish I could have heard more about the amazing things he did
June 29, 2023
"Love conquers all." We hear those words repeated all too often that they become nothing but a passing thought. Although those words never once appeared on the pages of Susan Williams' Colour Bar, I felt the immense power of a love that withstood the test of time and countless trials. Colour Bar is a riveting biography that chronicles the birth of a remarkable statesman and nation.
We witness Seretse Khama free his nation, as well as himself, from the clutches of imperialism. His marriage to Ruth, a European woman, attracts widespread criticism for defying the color bar—a system of racial segregation that loomed large in South Africa. As Williams puts it, the only crime Khama committed was marrying a woman of a different color. The response of the British government appalls me, not only for their disapproval of the couple's interracial marriage, but also for their attempts to interfere with their relationship and meddle in the internal affairs of the Bechuanaland Protectorate (later known as Botswana), all this under the guise of humanitarianism and democracy. In the face of such ruthlessness and hypocrisy, we see just how potent love, integrity, and perseverance can be. To those skeptical of romance and those losing faith in humanity, perhaps this book can be your remedy.
We witness Seretse Khama free his nation, as well as himself, from the clutches of imperialism. His marriage to Ruth, a European woman, attracts widespread criticism for defying the color bar—a system of racial segregation that loomed large in South Africa. As Williams puts it, the only crime Khama committed was marrying a woman of a different color. The response of the British government appalls me, not only for their disapproval of the couple's interracial marriage, but also for their attempts to interfere with their relationship and meddle in the internal affairs of the Bechuanaland Protectorate (later known as Botswana), all this under the guise of humanitarianism and democracy. In the face of such ruthlessness and hypocrisy, we see just how potent love, integrity, and perseverance can be. To those skeptical of romance and those losing faith in humanity, perhaps this book can be your remedy.
October 5, 2018
I finally finished it!
I took so long to read this book not because I didn't like it, but because it is so dense, and such an interesting and important story, that I only wanted to read it when I felt like I could really pay proper attention to it. And in this season of my life with two little children needing me, sitting down and giving my whole attention to a meaty book isn't something I can do every day.
I had never heard of Seretse Khama before I watched the movie "United Kingdom", which is based on this book. I enjoyed the movie, but I am SO glad I read this book. There is so much more to Seretse and Ruth's story than what was shown in the movie.
I am embarrassed by how little I know about Africa and African history. But I feel like reading this book is a good way to begin to learn. Though I highly recommend it, a word of warning– the writing IS dense. Susan Williams is a true historian and a thorough researcher. She has left no stone unturned, and there is not a single area in which she devolves into speculation. Almost every single paragraph has at least one footnote, citing her sources for everything said, done, and thought. I commend her for what must have been a massive undertaking. As such, the writing can be a little dry at times, but the story of Seretse is so important that I still give this book five stars.
At one point in my reading, I was almost choking with indignation at the completely racist, paternalistic, and condescending way in which British government officials were talking about the entire nation of Botswana (which at that point was the Protectorate of Bechuanaland). It struck home to me that this was less than a lifetime ago. This was happening in the same decade in which my parents were born. And it saddened me that, a. we still see those same kinds of attitudes, if not quite as blatantly displayed, in all kinds of leaders today, and b. I didn't learn anything about Africa as a kid. Most of my history was the history of white people. And that's not okay.
I want to do better with my kids.
I took so long to read this book not because I didn't like it, but because it is so dense, and such an interesting and important story, that I only wanted to read it when I felt like I could really pay proper attention to it. And in this season of my life with two little children needing me, sitting down and giving my whole attention to a meaty book isn't something I can do every day.
I had never heard of Seretse Khama before I watched the movie "United Kingdom", which is based on this book. I enjoyed the movie, but I am SO glad I read this book. There is so much more to Seretse and Ruth's story than what was shown in the movie.
I am embarrassed by how little I know about Africa and African history. But I feel like reading this book is a good way to begin to learn. Though I highly recommend it, a word of warning– the writing IS dense. Susan Williams is a true historian and a thorough researcher. She has left no stone unturned, and there is not a single area in which she devolves into speculation. Almost every single paragraph has at least one footnote, citing her sources for everything said, done, and thought. I commend her for what must have been a massive undertaking. As such, the writing can be a little dry at times, but the story of Seretse is so important that I still give this book five stars.
At one point in my reading, I was almost choking with indignation at the completely racist, paternalistic, and condescending way in which British government officials were talking about the entire nation of Botswana (which at that point was the Protectorate of Bechuanaland). It struck home to me that this was less than a lifetime ago. This was happening in the same decade in which my parents were born. And it saddened me that, a. we still see those same kinds of attitudes, if not quite as blatantly displayed, in all kinds of leaders today, and b. I didn't learn anything about Africa as a kid. Most of my history was the history of white people. And that's not okay.
I want to do better with my kids.
January 20, 2020
This book tells the fascinating story about the disproportional impact of one interracial marriage on international relations and an entire country’s economic development. When the area now called Botswana was still a British Protectorate, the black heir to the leadership of the largest tribe married a white English woman. This act set off a series of events that teaches us a lot about the feedback loops and second-order effects of international politics. The marriage also instigated huge change in the region; a corresponding evolution that led to Botswana moving from being one of the poorest countries in the world to having the greatest and most sustained economic growth of any country in Africa.
December 19, 2017
Colour Bar tells the true story of Seretse Khama, heir to the throne of the Bangwato tribe of Botswana, and the struggles he faces after marrying a white woman, Ruth Williams. This is a fascinating and frustrating story, which deserves to be more widely known. However, although meticulously researched, I felt that the story could be told in a better way than it is here. I found Colour Bar to be a slow read, the tone of which seemed to miss both that of narrative fiction and serious non-fiction.
February 9, 2017
Interesting, informative, absorbing and shameful. The roots of racism run so deep, are so hurtful and dysfunctional that one despairs. A well researched historic account of sinister and cruel events. A must - read but prepare for distressing emotional reactions to the account. Perhaps the film portrays a more positive side to this sad past.
May 21, 2017
Very enjoyable. It filled out the political information better than some of the other sources. Also having been written later, can give a better idea of how things turned out. The reading flows pretty smoothly.
April 6, 2018
Thoroughly enjoyed this, a very interesting read. The British Government does not come out of this situation well at all. So many lies; can't help wondering what they are lying about now? Well worth a read if you are interested in Africa or African politics.
September 27, 2025
This is an amazing story, but this unfortunately reads more like a textbook than is does a love story or an exciting political journey to independence. I wanted to love this story, but the book was so dry and the characters flat that I just didn't enjoy it.
August 12, 2019
After watching the movie, I was compelled to read the book. I wanted to know more about this wonderful couple. The movie gave a snapshot of what they went through; here is the complete picture.
It’s hard to imagine ones life being so overturned just because you dared marry the one you loved, to the point of being banished from your own country. Yet Seretse, and Ruth, stood against the racist attacks, not just from people, but from the British empire, with courage and grace.
But it was not just their triumph. His nation, which under his guidance would become the country of Botswana, supported the couple from the very beginning, knowing what he could bring to them in their fight for independence.
This is truly an inspiring story. An inspiring couple.
It’s hard to imagine ones life being so overturned just because you dared marry the one you loved, to the point of being banished from your own country. Yet Seretse, and Ruth, stood against the racist attacks, not just from people, but from the British empire, with courage and grace.
But it was not just their triumph. His nation, which under his guidance would become the country of Botswana, supported the couple from the very beginning, knowing what he could bring to them in their fight for independence.
This is truly an inspiring story. An inspiring couple.
December 3, 2017
Reading other people's very positive reviews of 'Colour Bar: The Triumph of Seretse Kharma and his Nation', I'm left shaking my head and wondering if we've really read the same book. Colour Bar is work of such plodding, stodgy, tedious prose that I really want to throw my Kindle in the air and rejoice that I'm finally released from the responsibility of dragging myself through it.
There's a big difference between great lives and great books. Seretse and Ruth Kharma were people who changed the world - not just the parts of the world in which they found themselves. Their love carried them through some of history's most extreme racial prejudice and political game-playing but that love just doesn't come through in this book. Susan Williams has taken a fabulously interesting couple whose roles in African and empire politics can't be underestimated, and then make a book so mind-numbingly poor and downright boring that it really did nearly beat me. It was only my stubborn determination that got me through it.
The book is a dry academic tome that's been pushed on the book-buying public as the story behind a popular film. I found it almost unreadable. Having written academic theses myself, I know how to cite sources consistently. Susan Williams does this horribly badly and inconsistently. Perhaps the paper format is better but the Kindle layout of smaller font quotations is turgid and not applied appropriately. Somet quotations are not cited at all. Others slip back into the larger font half way through.
My sense of relief when I hit 75% on my Kindle and it was finally ALL OVER was enormous. The remaining 25% was photographs (very good - including one clearly taken by Margaret Bourke White but surprisingly not identified as such) and very long and often unhelpful references. The acknowledgement ran to something like 15 pages, something akin to an over-emotional Oscar acceptance speech.
There's a great story in this book. It's just a shame it's such a fight to find it.
There's a big difference between great lives and great books. Seretse and Ruth Kharma were people who changed the world - not just the parts of the world in which they found themselves. Their love carried them through some of history's most extreme racial prejudice and political game-playing but that love just doesn't come through in this book. Susan Williams has taken a fabulously interesting couple whose roles in African and empire politics can't be underestimated, and then make a book so mind-numbingly poor and downright boring that it really did nearly beat me. It was only my stubborn determination that got me through it.
The book is a dry academic tome that's been pushed on the book-buying public as the story behind a popular film. I found it almost unreadable. Having written academic theses myself, I know how to cite sources consistently. Susan Williams does this horribly badly and inconsistently. Perhaps the paper format is better but the Kindle layout of smaller font quotations is turgid and not applied appropriately. Somet quotations are not cited at all. Others slip back into the larger font half way through.
My sense of relief when I hit 75% on my Kindle and it was finally ALL OVER was enormous. The remaining 25% was photographs (very good - including one clearly taken by Margaret Bourke White but surprisingly not identified as such) and very long and often unhelpful references. The acknowledgement ran to something like 15 pages, something akin to an over-emotional Oscar acceptance speech.
There's a great story in this book. It's just a shame it's such a fight to find it.
August 3, 2018
Cari lettori, oggi voglio parlarvi di “A United Kingdom” di Susan Williams, romanzo uscito lo scorso 26 gennaio, da cui è stato tratto l’omonimo film, uscito qualche giorno fa e diretto da Amma Asante.
Siamo alle prese con un romanzo storico che racconta con estrema accuratezza la storia d’amore di Seretse Khama, futuro erede del suo paese, il Bechuanaland (il Botswana di oggi), stato del Sud Africa, con Ruth Williams, giovane ragazza inglese.
Il libro racconta delle difficoltà che Seretse e Ruth hanno dovuto affrontare, dal loro matrimonio, al riconoscimento di Seretse come capo del suo paese, ai diversi anni di esilio e tentativi di ritornare nel proprio paese. I temi più importanti che vengono trattati sono la discriminazione razziale, la politica coloniale britannica, l’apartheid e la volontà d’indipendenza dei vari stati africani.
La Williams ci presenta due personaggi con caratteri molto forti, che cercheranno in ogni maniera di farsi accettare, e grazie alla forza del loro amore, riusciranno a vincere tutti i pregiudizi che caratterizzavano quell’ epoca e diventare così esempio e simbolo di lotta per i diritti civili.
La lettura risulta spesso molto lenta e troppo ricca di informazioni, ma naturalmente l’autrice deve fare in modo che il lettore si cali nel contesto storico per riuscire davvero a comprendere le vicende narrate.
Per la recensione completa seguiteci qui :
http://tuttacolpadeilibri.blogspot.it...
Siamo alle prese con un romanzo storico che racconta con estrema accuratezza la storia d’amore di Seretse Khama, futuro erede del suo paese, il Bechuanaland (il Botswana di oggi), stato del Sud Africa, con Ruth Williams, giovane ragazza inglese.
Il libro racconta delle difficoltà che Seretse e Ruth hanno dovuto affrontare, dal loro matrimonio, al riconoscimento di Seretse come capo del suo paese, ai diversi anni di esilio e tentativi di ritornare nel proprio paese. I temi più importanti che vengono trattati sono la discriminazione razziale, la politica coloniale britannica, l’apartheid e la volontà d’indipendenza dei vari stati africani.
La Williams ci presenta due personaggi con caratteri molto forti, che cercheranno in ogni maniera di farsi accettare, e grazie alla forza del loro amore, riusciranno a vincere tutti i pregiudizi che caratterizzavano quell’ epoca e diventare così esempio e simbolo di lotta per i diritti civili.
La lettura risulta spesso molto lenta e troppo ricca di informazioni, ma naturalmente l’autrice deve fare in modo che il lettore si cali nel contesto storico per riuscire davvero a comprendere le vicende narrate.
Per la recensione completa seguiteci qui :
http://tuttacolpadeilibri.blogspot.it...
February 12, 2019
A brilliant book about an amazing tale.
Susan Williams has clearly researched this topic incredibly thoroughly, and yet the book wears the research very easily. The detail never gets in the way of good storytelling.
Even-handed and without hyperbole, Colour Bar is enlightening not just about race relations of the 1950s and 60s but about the influence that supposedly neutral senior civil servants had on British policy, especially in relation to the emergence of apartheid South Africa.
Williams eschews the temptation to present a 'black and white' picture of events, taking account of all the nuances that turned the marriage of Ruth and Seretse Khama into such a complicated and long running political sore.
One of the best books I have read in a long while.
Susan Williams has clearly researched this topic incredibly thoroughly, and yet the book wears the research very easily. The detail never gets in the way of good storytelling.
Even-handed and without hyperbole, Colour Bar is enlightening not just about race relations of the 1950s and 60s but about the influence that supposedly neutral senior civil servants had on British policy, especially in relation to the emergence of apartheid South Africa.
Williams eschews the temptation to present a 'black and white' picture of events, taking account of all the nuances that turned the marriage of Ruth and Seretse Khama into such a complicated and long running political sore.
One of the best books I have read in a long while.
February 22, 2017
This is exceptionally researched account of life of Sir Seretse Kharma, his marriage to Ruth and the uproar that as a consequence. In all honesty is very "dry", densely populated with historical figures, detailed accounts of their correspondence, meetings, reports, newspaper articles and so on.
To the modern reader the bias of people to the marriage of Seretse and Ruth would appear to be nothing short of ridiculous, but this of the reactions in the UK and beyond is fascinating.
To the modern reader the bias of people to the marriage of Seretse and Ruth would appear to be nothing short of ridiculous, but this of the reactions in the UK and beyond is fascinating.
October 30, 2010
An amazing book, fascinating story, thoroughly researched and well told.
An account of the life of an extraordinary couple, caught in political challenges. A lesson on courage , patience and forgiveness
It took me a month to finish only 330 pages, was not a bit boring , just lots of stuff to digest
I couldn't give it less than 5 stars, would be unfair really
An account of the life of an extraordinary couple, caught in political challenges. A lesson on courage , patience and forgiveness
It took me a month to finish only 330 pages, was not a bit boring , just lots of stuff to digest
I couldn't give it less than 5 stars, would be unfair really
March 29, 2011
Powerful narration about the life and struggles for Seretse Khama and Ruth Williams.It tales the story of love,prejudice and pride.Through think and thin they stood and never allowed the prejudice of the people to break their spirit.I good read indeed i would have loved to give it another half a star i feel it deserves it.
February 7, 2016
Takes a while to get into, and a pen and paper is handy to make sense of who's who in the early chapters, but this is a wonderful insight into a unique African country, and beautifully illustrates why Botswana is a rare gem in a continent with so much hardship. A remarkable story of a courageous couple with inspirational integrity.
February 1, 2014
The true love is unconditional. Seretse was a great man. He wasn't a coward. Imagine at that time a black man standing against the British Colonialism and South African apartheid in pursuit of true love. Seretse's death is a great loss to Botswana, Africa and the rest of the world.
November 16, 2016
what an excellent book! very well written and insightful, not at all a dry history book, but written with love and respect. looking forward to the film at the end of November!
January 9, 2017
Got about half way through when I had to return it. Easy to read was was enjoying it, easier to see the film (which I did).
December 16, 2017
Very interesting read, but somewhat confusing. It would have been beneficial to have an explanation or chart showing the various government organizations--and the people heading them up.
August 28, 2025
A United Kingdom, based on the book by Susan Williams
The Darkest Hour is celebrated this year (2018), together with the hero within, Winston Churchill.
Yet, A United Kingdom exposes another side of the politician who is applauded as one of the greatest role models of all time.
Winston Churchill is one of the villains in A United Kingdom.
This good film is based on the book by Susan Williams, which tells the story of the Prince of Bechuanaland and his wife, the politics involved in the exile, the submission to South Africa’s interests and more.
The intense, severe, excellent David Oyelowo, the artist in the marvelous leading role in Selma, plays Prince Seretse Khama.
Prince Seretse is studying in London, when he meets and falls in love with beautiful Ruth Williams.
They want to and they marry.
However, if this sounded as the innocent, admirable, wonderful union of two young people, it is in fact reason for turmoil.
Uncle Charles, the regent opposes this union.
Furthermore, most other parties involved are against this matrimony, which is upsetting the status quo.
The rules of the time were racist and the marriage between two people of different color was anathema.
However, about the only people who accept this matrimony are the ones least expected to…the “subjects”.
The would be king talks to an assembly and makes his case to the representatives of his people.
He explains that he loves his wife, there is no harm in that and color of skin should not be a reason to discriminate.
His uncle wants Seretse to be the king, but only if he renounces his white wife that he sees as a serious affront to the rules.
For hundreds of years, the ancestors of Seretse Khama have been admired as rulers, but this may end now.
Surprisingly, the assembly votes in favor of the prince, only the British representative says that the colonial power has to assess the situation.
A report is prepared, trying to analyze the “tribal conflict” in the territory called at that time Bechuanaland.
And the result is that Britain decides to…exile the would be king for five years and send him to Jamaica.
Enter the stage the great Winston Churchill, who is in opposition but affirms that once in power, he will allow the prince to return.
Only once in office, something outrageous happens.
Under Winston Churchill, not only the banishment is not overturned, but on the contrary, it is…extended.
Prince Seretse Khama is exiled…for life
However, some people in Great Britain support the cause of the hero and that of his country.
They obtain the report and they provoke a minister into admitting that mineral rights belong to the people of what would soon become Botswana.
The report states clearly that the prince is a decent man, worthy of ruling his people, but South Africa, where apartheid is the official policy opposed the matrimony and therefore, Britain applied “Realpolitik” and surrendered to this point of view, more interested in the riches provided by the segregated South Africa.
In an astonishing coup de theatre, the Prince campaigns for the abolishing of the monarchy- what prince ever did that?
Seretse Khama is a hero triumphant on all aspects of life.
He is loyal to his people, becomes the leader of a democracy that he had advocated for their benefit, he stays married to the woman he loves and that loved him in return, in spite of the adversity and trauma he had to suffer for his ideals.
The Darkest Hour is celebrated this year (2018), together with the hero within, Winston Churchill.
Yet, A United Kingdom exposes another side of the politician who is applauded as one of the greatest role models of all time.
Winston Churchill is one of the villains in A United Kingdom.
This good film is based on the book by Susan Williams, which tells the story of the Prince of Bechuanaland and his wife, the politics involved in the exile, the submission to South Africa’s interests and more.
The intense, severe, excellent David Oyelowo, the artist in the marvelous leading role in Selma, plays Prince Seretse Khama.
Prince Seretse is studying in London, when he meets and falls in love with beautiful Ruth Williams.
They want to and they marry.
However, if this sounded as the innocent, admirable, wonderful union of two young people, it is in fact reason for turmoil.
Uncle Charles, the regent opposes this union.
Furthermore, most other parties involved are against this matrimony, which is upsetting the status quo.
The rules of the time were racist and the marriage between two people of different color was anathema.
However, about the only people who accept this matrimony are the ones least expected to…the “subjects”.
The would be king talks to an assembly and makes his case to the representatives of his people.
He explains that he loves his wife, there is no harm in that and color of skin should not be a reason to discriminate.
His uncle wants Seretse to be the king, but only if he renounces his white wife that he sees as a serious affront to the rules.
For hundreds of years, the ancestors of Seretse Khama have been admired as rulers, but this may end now.
Surprisingly, the assembly votes in favor of the prince, only the British representative says that the colonial power has to assess the situation.
A report is prepared, trying to analyze the “tribal conflict” in the territory called at that time Bechuanaland.
And the result is that Britain decides to…exile the would be king for five years and send him to Jamaica.
Enter the stage the great Winston Churchill, who is in opposition but affirms that once in power, he will allow the prince to return.
Only once in office, something outrageous happens.
Under Winston Churchill, not only the banishment is not overturned, but on the contrary, it is…extended.
Prince Seretse Khama is exiled…for life
However, some people in Great Britain support the cause of the hero and that of his country.
They obtain the report and they provoke a minister into admitting that mineral rights belong to the people of what would soon become Botswana.
The report states clearly that the prince is a decent man, worthy of ruling his people, but South Africa, where apartheid is the official policy opposed the matrimony and therefore, Britain applied “Realpolitik” and surrendered to this point of view, more interested in the riches provided by the segregated South Africa.
In an astonishing coup de theatre, the Prince campaigns for the abolishing of the monarchy- what prince ever did that?
Seretse Khama is a hero triumphant on all aspects of life.
He is loyal to his people, becomes the leader of a democracy that he had advocated for their benefit, he stays married to the woman he loves and that loved him in return, in spite of the adversity and trauma he had to suffer for his ideals.
July 5, 2024
Read this year, 2024. Admittedly, dnf at 'Exile'.
Not because of the writing but because I had just moved on and wanted to read something else.
This is a fabulously written non-fiction book and I enjoyed it immensely. The hard part about it was the many different players in the game, so to speak.
In the earlier chapters there were quite a few different people in different places doing different things and I found it a bit hard to follow. I almost needed a white board with pictures and markers to plot it out. It is a complicated story.
It is further complicated but not having a decent of knowledge of "The Empire", of the Westminster system, the courts, Boer wars and SA as a whole. I'm Australian and live with a lot of this stuff but that's different from truly understanding it.
That being said, you don't need a political degree to read and understand the book, its just easier to follow if you have a more educated approach and you're not, like me, reading the book because you watched the movie.
The movie takes some creative licence but explains things well. It was worth reading (or attempting) the book and I'm glad it was in the library. I may go back to it another time.
These kinds of stories make my 'neurodivergence' known which may explain why I had a little trouble following it. Take my review with a pinch of salt. It really is a fine book!
Not because of the writing but because I had just moved on and wanted to read something else.
This is a fabulously written non-fiction book and I enjoyed it immensely. The hard part about it was the many different players in the game, so to speak.
In the earlier chapters there were quite a few different people in different places doing different things and I found it a bit hard to follow. I almost needed a white board with pictures and markers to plot it out. It is a complicated story.
It is further complicated but not having a decent of knowledge of "The Empire", of the Westminster system, the courts, Boer wars and SA as a whole. I'm Australian and live with a lot of this stuff but that's different from truly understanding it.
That being said, you don't need a political degree to read and understand the book, its just easier to follow if you have a more educated approach and you're not, like me, reading the book because you watched the movie.
The movie takes some creative licence but explains things well. It was worth reading (or attempting) the book and I'm glad it was in the library. I may go back to it another time.
These kinds of stories make my 'neurodivergence' known which may explain why I had a little trouble following it. Take my review with a pinch of salt. It really is a fine book!
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