Female Supremacy Articles - Page 13

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Ms. Seboko's 33,000 subjects here in Botswana's sun-baked southeast corner clearly were a bit perplexed by the prospect of a female ruler. At her coronation, they showered her with gifts befitting a chief: a new silver pickup truck, a computer, a printer. Also, a washing machine and a vacuum cleaner.

Since then, however, she has endeared herself to much of the tribe by balancing calls for change with respect for tradition. Some men - and women - suggest quietly that she is too outspoken in defense of women's rights. But more say she has proved herself with her straightforward manner, accessibility and focus on the problems of Ramotswa's youth.

"She is doing very well," said Nfana Botlhole, a 38-year old unemployed man who came to a recent tribal meeting in a laborer's blue work pants. "Her brother wasn't around very much. Now since she came in, you can see what is going on. The youth have easy access to her and they listen to her."

At times, she has turned upside-down the notion of what a traditional leader thinks. It is hard to imagine a male chief talking, as she does in interviews, about abuse against women. Her own husband beat her. "So I divorced in

1978," she said. "I can't stand violence. I didn't want to be abused."

Or about sexual rights: "I believe women have the power. It is very easy for us to say no to sex."

Or about H.I.V.: "To the men I am saying, please, everybody knows the scourge that is ravaging this country. Let's stop infecting everybody around."