ABSTRACT
The latter half of 1883 was a time of relative peace, and a time for personal excitement for Christopher Bethell. It was during this time when he demonstrated his commitment to Kgosi Montshiwa and the Barolong cause, when he married one of the kgosi’s subjects, Tepo Boapile. As prescribed by Barolong custom, Christopher Bethell approached Kgosi Montshiwa to obtain his blessing for the union. According to Montshiwa, Christopher’s affection for Tepo was genuine, and he referred to her fondly as ‘that girl of mine’. That the marriage was genuinely based on affection is underscored by Bethell’s instructions regarding provisions that he made for Tepo and any child she might have with him. The marriage undoubtedly ostracised him in the eyes of his white detractors and was further confirmation to colonial authorities that he was irredeemably beyond the pale of proper and acceptable colonial society.
