The Recurring Cast
Character · Gaborone · 27 books

J.L.B. Matekoni

Mechanic, owner of Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors, Ramotswe’s husband · Alexander McCall Smith

J.L.B. Matekoni is a gentle mechanic, owner of Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors, and Mma Ramotswe’s husband.

Spoiler-free profile written for The Recurring Cast.

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Character facts

First appearance
The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency (1998)
Latest appearance
The Big Cats Dance Party (2026)
Books
27 (27 major)
Series
No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency
Author
Alexander McCall Smith
Circle
Gaborone

Where to meet J.L.B. Matekoni

J.L.B. Matekoni first appears in The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency (1998), in a major role, book 1 of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series.

Buy The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency

Every book with J.L.B. Matekoni

In publication order, with the size of their role in each.

  1. 1998MThe No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agencymajor role · No. 1 Ladies’ Detective AgencyBuy
  2. 2000MTears of the Giraffemajor role · No. 1 Ladies’ Detective AgencyEngaged to RamotsweBuy
  3. 2001MMorality for Beautiful Girlsmajor role · No. 1 Ladies’ Detective AgencyBuy
  4. 2002MThe Kalahari Typing School for Menmajor role · No. 1 Ladies’ Detective AgencyBuy
  5. 2003MThe Full Cupboard of Lifemajor role · No. 1 Ladies’ Detective AgencyBuy
  6. 2004MIn the Company of Cheerful Ladiesmajor role · No. 1 Ladies’ Detective AgencyBuy
  7. 2006MBlue Shoes and Happinessmajor role · No. 1 Ladies’ Detective AgencyBuy
  8. 2007MThe Good Husband of Zebra Drivemajor role · No. 1 Ladies’ Detective AgencyBuy
  9. 2008MThe Miracle at Speedy Motorsmajor role · No. 1 Ladies’ Detective AgencyBuy
  10. 2009MTea Time for the Traditionally Builtmajor role · No. 1 Ladies’ Detective AgencyBuy
  11. 2010MThe Double Comfort Safari Clubmajor role · No. 1 Ladies’ Detective AgencyBuy
  12. 2010MThe Saturday Big Tent Wedding Partymajor role · No. 1 Ladies’ Detective AgencyBuy
  13. 2012MThe Limpopo Academy of Private Detectionmajor role · No. 1 Ladies’ Detective AgencyBuy
  14. 2013MThe Minor Adjustment Beauty Salonmajor role · No. 1 Ladies’ Detective AgencyBuy
  15. 2014MThe Handsome Man’s De Luxe Cafémajor role · No. 1 Ladies’ Detective AgencyBuy
  16. 2015MThe Woman Who Walked in Sunshinemajor role · No. 1 Ladies’ Detective AgencyBuy
  17. 2016MPrecious and Gracemajor role · No. 1 Ladies’ Detective AgencyBuy
  18. 2017MThe House of Unexpected Sistersmajor role · No. 1 Ladies’ Detective AgencyBuy
  19. 2018MThe Colours of All the Cattlemajor role · No. 1 Ladies’ Detective AgencyBuy
  20. 2019MTo the Land of Long Lost Friendsmajor role · No. 1 Ladies’ Detective AgencyBuy
  21. 2020MHow to Raise an Elephantmajor role · No. 1 Ladies’ Detective AgencyBuy
  22. 2021MThe Joy and Light Bus Companymajor role · No. 1 Ladies’ Detective AgencyBuy
  23. 2022MA Song of Comfortable Chairsmajor role · No. 1 Ladies’ Detective AgencyBuy
  24. 2023MFrom a Far and Lovely Countrymajor role · No. 1 Ladies’ Detective AgencyBuy
  25. 2024MThe Great Hippopotamus Hotelmajor role · No. 1 Ladies’ Detective AgencyBuy
  26. 2025MIn the Time of Five Pumpkinsmajor role · No. 1 Ladies’ Detective AgencyBuy
  27. 2026MThe Big Cats Dance Partymajor role · No. 1 Ladies’ Detective AgencyBuy

Appears most often with

CharacterBooks together
CharlieApprentice mechanic27
FanwellApprentice mechanic27
Grace MakutsiRamotswe’s assistant, later co-director, proud of her 97% exam score27
Mma PotokwaneMatron of the orphan farm27
Precious RamotsweFounder of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency27
Violet SephothoGrace’s old rival25