Modiri Molema

Dr. Silas Modiri Molema (1891 - August, 1965) was a South African doctor and historian who assisted in the establishment of the Bahá’í community of Botswana. Although he never formally declared he is regarded as the first Bahá’í of Botswana.

Biography

Molema was born in Mafikeng, now in South Africa but at the time within the Bechuanaland Protectorate, in 1891. His father was a member of the Royal family of the Barolong people. He completed his education at Lovedale Institution in his youth then became a teacher working in Kimberly. In 1914 he moved to Scotland where he studied medicine at Glasgow University and while in Scotland he became aware of J. E. Esslemont and was impressed by his work in medicine. While in Europe he wrote Bantu: Past and Present, a book about the history of native South Africans and Botswanans which was critically acclaimed.

After returning to South Africa Molema established a medical practice in Mafikeng and married Lucretia Moshoele. In the 1940's he became involved with the African National Congress political party becoming its National Secretary in 1949. He also served on the Constitutional Committee which was responsible for overseeing the transition of the Bechuanaland Protectorate into the independent nation of Botswana and served on the Legislative Council established by the British government to share power with the Colonial government of the Protectorate.

Molema was introduced to the Bahá’í Faith in 1954 when John Robarts attended his medical clinic for treatment of an infected finger. Robarts gave him a copy of Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era which Molema was happy to recieve as it was written by J.E. Esslemont, and he became friends with the Robarts family and began translating Bahá’í literature into the Sechuana language. He began hosting Bahá’í teaching activities and conferences in his home and also introduced Robarts to six chiefs and the Paramount Chief in Bechuanaland allowing him to proclaim the Faith.

While Molema actively supported Bahá’í teaching efforts and described himself as the first Bahá’í in Bechuanaland he never formally declared, with his daughter, Warada, becoming the first member of his family to declare in the 1980's. He passed away in Mafikeng in August, 1965, survived by his wife, his son, and his daughter.