Andrew Lloyd Webber is planning a musical based on the love match between Seretse Khama, who became Botswana's first President, and Ruth Williams, a white English woman.
The couple met in London in 1948.
"They both loved jazz, and that's what was playing the night they met," the composer said.
When they realised they were in love, and wanted to get married, there was incredible opposition to the idea. For starters, Khama was African royalty: heir in waiting of the ruling Bangwato people in what was then known as Bechuanaland in southern Africa.
It was a British protectorate, and Khama's uncle (and regent) Tshekedi did not want the marriage to go ahead.