Sekgoma I

Sekgoma I (c. 1815–1883) was the kgosi, or chief, of the Ngwato tribe for three periods between c. 1834 and 1875. First taking power after the death of his half-brother Khama II, Sekgoma stepped down in 1857 upon the return of the heir, Macheng. Sekgoma fled to the Kwena tribe where kgosi Sechele I armed him with soldiers, allowing him to retake power in 1858. He came into conflict with his sons Khama III and Kgamane in the 1860s when they chose Christianity over traditional religion, and he was overthrown by Macheng in 1866. Khama III restored Sekgoma to power in 1873 but then overthrew him in 1875.