It is London 1945: the heir apparent to the largest tribe of Bechuanaland (later Botswana) arrives in Britain to complete his legal studies. Seretse Khama, an urbane 24-year old, educated like Mandela at Fort Hare, was welcomed into the elite world of Oxford. But when he fell in love with Englishwoman Ruth Williams the full force of colonial power was brought to bear to prevent their marriage. Using newly released records Colour Bar recounts a shameful period in British history, of overt racism on the streets of London and the corridors of Whitehall, of appeasement to apartheid South Africa and triumphantly the determination of the Bangwato people whose loyalty finally brought Seretse and Ruth back to their rightful home where together they created the foundations for what has become a uniquely successful African state.