by Mary Jo
Apart from a vague recollection of the British protectorate called Bechuanaland becoming the independent nation of Botswana, the country never registered with me until I read the first #1 Ladies Detective Agency book by Alexander McCall Smith. The protagonist, Precious Ramotse, is a mature, "traditionally built" woman with a lot of common sense who solves small mysteries through her understanding of human nature. The series is now up to 18 books.
More recently, Botswana has been mentioned in connection with Prince Harry of Wales , who loves the place, and reportedly it was where he and Meghan Markle fell in love.
For all these reasons, as soon as I heard about the movie A United Kingdom, I wanted to see it because it's the true story of Sir Seretse Khama , a hereditary king, leader of the independence movement, and the first elected president of 
Botswana. He had a great deal to do with establishing the country's stable democracy–and the movie is also a wonderful true romance. Here's a trailer.
As African royalty, Seretse Khama studied in South Africa before going to Oxford and then studying law at the Inner Temple in London. It was there he met Ruth Williams and they fell deeply in love. They married in 1948 against the advice of just about everyone.
Their marriage had major political repercussions. Neighboring South Africa was in the process of creating apartheid, the evil segregation system, and the last thing they wanted was a next door neighbor with an interracial marriage at the top. Pressure was brought on the Khamas, and Seretse was exiled to England for five years, after which he and Ruth were allowed to return as civilians with his rank stripped.
The movie shows not only the Khamas' marriage, 
Botswana's struggle for independence and ultimate triumph. The leads, played by David Oyelowo and Rosamund Pike, are excellent, and the story is powerful and uplifting. I strongly recommend it. And if you have a chance to visit Botswana–grab it!
Mary Jo, who would love to go back.
I will definitely see this movie, Mary Jo…
Sorry I didn’t comment sooner. For some reason, the email of this Word Wench column never made it to my inbox.
Cheers & very much looking forward to seeing Oyelowo and Pike in A United Kingdom.
Cheers, Faith
I will definitely see this movie, Mary Jo…
Sorry I didn’t comment sooner. For some reason, the email of this Word Wench column never made it to my inbox.
Cheers & very much looking forward to seeing Oyelowo and Pike in A United Kingdom.
Cheers, Faith
I will definitely see this movie, Mary Jo…
Sorry I didn’t comment sooner. For some reason, the email of this Word Wench column never made it to my inbox.
Cheers & very much looking forward to seeing Oyelowo and Pike in A United Kingdom.
Cheers, Faith
I will definitely see this movie, Mary Jo…
Sorry I didn’t comment sooner. For some reason, the email of this Word Wench column never made it to my inbox.
Cheers & very much looking forward to seeing Oyelowo and Pike in A United Kingdom.
Cheers, Faith
I will definitely see this movie, Mary Jo…
Sorry I didn’t comment sooner. For some reason, the email of this Word Wench column never made it to my inbox.
Cheers & very much looking forward to seeing Oyelowo and Pike in A United Kingdom.
Cheers, Faith
I saw this movie several months ago and I loved it. Fell in love with this remarkable couple who are so inspiring, even though they are no longer living. Botswana was lucky to have them and I would love to visit that country.
I saw this movie several months ago and I loved it. Fell in love with this remarkable couple who are so inspiring, even though they are no longer living. Botswana was lucky to have them and I would love to visit that country.
I saw this movie several months ago and I loved it. Fell in love with this remarkable couple who are so inspiring, even though they are no longer living. Botswana was lucky to have them and I would love to visit that country.
I saw this movie several months ago and I loved it. Fell in love with this remarkable couple who are so inspiring, even though they are no longer living. Botswana was lucky to have them and I would love to visit that country.
I saw this movie several months ago and I loved it. Fell in love with this remarkable couple who are so inspiring, even though they are no longer living. Botswana was lucky to have them and I would love to visit that country.
It’s a beautifully acted film with gorgeous visuals of Botswana.
It’s a beautifully acted film with gorgeous visuals of Botswana.
It’s a beautifully acted film with gorgeous visuals of Botswana.
It’s a beautifully acted film with gorgeous visuals of Botswana.
It’s a beautifully acted film with gorgeous visuals of Botswana.
It sounds like a very interesting move. I’m mentioning it to my husband (the movie fan in this household).
It sounds like a very interesting move. I’m mentioning it to my husband (the movie fan in this household).
It sounds like a very interesting move. I’m mentioning it to my husband (the movie fan in this household).
It sounds like a very interesting move. I’m mentioning it to my husband (the movie fan in this household).
It sounds like a very interesting move. I’m mentioning it to my husband (the movie fan in this household).
Faith, it sounds like you had a server hiccup, but this only went up last midnight so you weren’t too laggard! I hope you enjoy the movie as much as I did.
Faith, it sounds like you had a server hiccup, but this only went up last midnight so you weren’t too laggard! I hope you enjoy the movie as much as I did.
Faith, it sounds like you had a server hiccup, but this only went up last midnight so you weren’t too laggard! I hope you enjoy the movie as much as I did.
Faith, it sounds like you had a server hiccup, but this only went up last midnight so you weren’t too laggard! I hope you enjoy the movie as much as I did.
Faith, it sounds like you had a server hiccup, but this only went up last midnight so you weren’t too laggard! I hope you enjoy the movie as much as I did.
Weren’t they amazing? Their courage, integrity, and love helped shape a nation.
Weren’t they amazing? Their courage, integrity, and love helped shape a nation.
Weren’t they amazing? Their courage, integrity, and love helped shape a nation.
Weren’t they amazing? Their courage, integrity, and love helped shape a nation.
Weren’t they amazing? Their courage, integrity, and love helped shape a nation.
So true! Both the leads were excellent, especially David Oleyowo. Such passion and drive!
So true! Both the leads were excellent, especially David Oleyowo. Such passion and drive!
So true! Both the leads were excellent, especially David Oleyowo. Such passion and drive!
So true! Both the leads were excellent, especially David Oleyowo. Such passion and drive!
So true! Both the leads were excellent, especially David Oleyowo. Such passion and drive!
Sue McCormick, I think you and the dh would both enjoy it.
Sue McCormick, I think you and the dh would both enjoy it.
Sue McCormick, I think you and the dh would both enjoy it.
Sue McCormick, I think you and the dh would both enjoy it.
Sue McCormick, I think you and the dh would both enjoy it.
This one does sound very interesting I will be keeping an eye out for it to show here in Sydney
have Fun
Helen
This one does sound very interesting I will be keeping an eye out for it to show here in Sydney
have Fun
Helen
This one does sound very interesting I will be keeping an eye out for it to show here in Sydney
have Fun
Helen
This one does sound very interesting I will be keeping an eye out for it to show here in Sydney
have Fun
Helen
This one does sound very interesting I will be keeping an eye out for it to show here in Sydney
have Fun
Helen
Helen, A UNITED KINGDOM was released in 2017 and had only a limited run in theaters, though it was very well reviewed. You’d probably need to look for it through a streaming or DVD rental service. It’s worth the effort, though.
Helen, A UNITED KINGDOM was released in 2017 and had only a limited run in theaters, though it was very well reviewed. You’d probably need to look for it through a streaming or DVD rental service. It’s worth the effort, though.
Helen, A UNITED KINGDOM was released in 2017 and had only a limited run in theaters, though it was very well reviewed. You’d probably need to look for it through a streaming or DVD rental service. It’s worth the effort, though.
Helen, A UNITED KINGDOM was released in 2017 and had only a limited run in theaters, though it was very well reviewed. You’d probably need to look for it through a streaming or DVD rental service. It’s worth the effort, though.
Helen, A UNITED KINGDOM was released in 2017 and had only a limited run in theaters, though it was very well reviewed. You’d probably need to look for it through a streaming or DVD rental service. It’s worth the effort, though.
I will check out Netflix and Stan 🙂
Have Fun
Helen
I will check out Netflix and Stan 🙂
Have Fun
Helen
I will check out Netflix and Stan 🙂
Have Fun
Helen
I will check out Netflix and Stan 🙂
Have Fun
Helen
I will check out Netflix and Stan 🙂
Have Fun
Helen
Jo, my mom was a huge fan of Seretse Khama. And, like Precious, I drink rooibos every day!
Jo, my mom was a huge fan of Seretse Khama. And, like Precious, I drink rooibos every day!
Jo, my mom was a huge fan of Seretse Khama. And, like Precious, I drink rooibos every day!
Jo, my mom was a huge fan of Seretse Khama. And, like Precious, I drink rooibos every day!
Jo, my mom was a huge fan of Seretse Khama. And, like Precious, I drink rooibos every day!
Sorry, NOT, Jo, who is so missed. Mary Jo, I apologise. Jo is always on my mind when I visit Word Wenches….
Sorry, NOT, Jo, who is so missed. Mary Jo, I apologise. Jo is always on my mind when I visit Word Wenches….
Sorry, NOT, Jo, who is so missed. Mary Jo, I apologise. Jo is always on my mind when I visit Word Wenches….
Sorry, NOT, Jo, who is so missed. Mary Jo, I apologise. Jo is always on my mind when I visit Word Wenches….
Sorry, NOT, Jo, who is so missed. Mary Jo, I apologise. Jo is always on my mind when I visit Word Wenches….
I loved the trailer, Mary Jo and will look forward to this movie.
I loved the trailer, Mary Jo and will look forward to this movie.
I loved the trailer, Mary Jo and will look forward to this movie.
I loved the trailer, Mary Jo and will look forward to this movie.
I loved the trailer, Mary Jo and will look forward to this movie.
When I looked at the trailer, the next thing that came up on You Tube was the full movie. I have bookmarked it and will return when I have time to see the full film. Thank you so much for this introduction.
When I looked at the trailer, the next thing that came up on You Tube was the full movie. I have bookmarked it and will return when I have time to see the full film. Thank you so much for this introduction.
When I looked at the trailer, the next thing that came up on You Tube was the full movie. I have bookmarked it and will return when I have time to see the full film. Thank you so much for this introduction.
When I looked at the trailer, the next thing that came up on You Tube was the full movie. I have bookmarked it and will return when I have time to see the full film. Thank you so much for this introduction.
When I looked at the trailer, the next thing that came up on You Tube was the full movie. I have bookmarked it and will return when I have time to see the full film. Thank you so much for this introduction.
I’ll go with you sweetie
I’ll go with you sweetie
I’ll go with you sweetie
I’ll go with you sweetie
I’ll go with you sweetie