17Pray without ceasing. 18In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. – 1 Thessalonians 5:18
On Sunday, July 6, 2025, Malawians in and outside Malawi will be celebrating the 61st anniversary of our country’ independent status from colonial rule. This came about as a result of the breaking of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland by former first President Ngwazi Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda and numerous of his followers that were imprisoned in Gweru and Khami prison. For 31 years (1963-1994), as a nation, we prayed for the long life of Kamuzu. It has been 31 years since the end of Kamuzu’s rule, this year as the nation looks on to where it is, there have been five presidents, namely Bakili Muluzi, Bingu wa Mutharika, Joyce Banda (no relation to the first Banda), Arthur Peter Mutharika, and Lazarus Chakwera.
As we enter into celebratory mode, it is my desire that we stop and remind ourselves of the good that our leaders showered on the country. As a God-fearing, God-loving nation, I encourage all of us to remember the gift of peace that the country has and continues to enjoy, a grand foundation laid by our founding father, Dr. H. Kamuzu Banda. Yes, there were a lot of bad, even with the five, but today as we celebrate 61 years, Below is my list of the good that the six poured onto our country that continues to enjoy peaceful existence with our neighbors, working hand-in-hand to help one another when in need. Umunthu wakadalipo! Tithokoze Ambuye (Humanity is still here! Let us thank God!)
Here is my list of ONE THING I remember about our leaders:
Kamuzu Banda – Following the words only demolition of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland and gaining independence from the British, former first woman minister Rose Chibambo whisked women in Blantyre (Girls School students included: I was in Standard 2) to a meeting and encouraged us to come up with dances to dance before our recently released leader. To thank him at the formerly Rangeley Stadium. He was so happy, he bought us all flip-flops from Bata Shoe Company.
Bakili Muluzi – If anyone in or outside Malawi can remember the positive attribute of Muluzi, is that he is a very captivating leader. He taught Malawians, and made Malawians listen (attentively) to another voice. After only hearing Kamuzu authoritatively speak to us, Muluzi’s jovial and banter manner helped us to move on to this other voice in leadership with his signature (Muluzi) Zinthu zatani? (The crowd). Translation: What has happened? Things have changed!
Bungu wa Mutharika – By the time Mutharika took the reins of power, the weight of a changed development assistant was heavy on Malawians, he moved fast and found money within the country’s coffers and bought fertilizer and other farming implements for every Malawian. This feat alone raised the standard of food security, which was talked about during the Kamuzu era.
AMai Joyce Banda – Malawi’s and SADC region’s first female, and the second female president in Africa, is lauded for her attention to women’s health such as fistula, reduction of maternal health. She entered the political frame after heading an association whivh gave countrywide loans to businesswomen. The raised standards of women’s livelihoods, raised the standards of Malawi families.
Peter Mutharika – Former professor of law in the US, Peter Mutharika is a constitutional expert (chaired Malawi’s drafting of the democratic constitution, 1995). He is remembered for his ascending to laws on ending girl child marriages and later for accepting the Constitutional Court decision to call for the Fresh Elections of 2020, after anomalies.
Lazarus Chakwera – Commended for joining the Constitutional Court 2019 challenge lodged by former VP Saulos Chilima on the problematic 2019 presidential election results, Chakwera showed the nation that coalitions can give a rousing victory: the Tonse Alliance scoped way over the ConCourt call for winning 50+1 in the 2020 fresh elections.
As Malawi enters into its 61 anniversary celebrations (or commemorations) we recall and be grateful that the country can still stand tall as a peace-loving nation, a nation that has been gifted with leaders who have the 22 million people at the center of their leadership.
Long live genuine democracy! Long live peaceful Malawi!
