MALAWI’S POLITICAL LANDSCAPE: FROM COLONIAL, ONE-PARTY DICTATORIAL TO MULTI-PARTY DEMOCRATIC HUMAN RIGHTS ERA.

The following figures are covered: Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda, Dr. Bingu Webster Wa Mutharika, Sir Orton Kaluli Chirwa and Late Thom Chakufwa Chihana.

Dr. HASTINGS KAMUZU BANDA

In brief, Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda was the first president of the republic of Malawi, taking over from the British Monarchy who had ruled Malawi as a ‘protectorate’ up to 1964. Kamuzu Banda died single, he had no known wife. However, the only lady living with him, Mama Cecilia Tamanda Kadzamira, ministered to him under the banner of “official hostess”.

Looking at both sides of the coin, Kamuzu Banda is well remembered for the good and the bad. During his reign, Malawi made a number of strides. The current capital city, Lilongwe, was built by his vision for a better Malawi. The political party to which he belonged, the Malawi Congress Party, was founded by his best friend-turned foe: Barrister, Sir Orton Kaluli Chirwa. Orton Chirwa’s wife, Barrister Vera Chirwa authored an autobiography. A great piece to read.

Kamuzu Banda is highly discredited for his super-dictatorial tendency, he disapproved the launching of what would have been the first TV stations for Malawi between the 70s and 80s, seemingly a tactic to ensure the majority of citizens remained very dull for easy administration and manipulation. Late Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda was laid to rest in a special Mausoleum at city centre, near parliament, Lilongwe. Visitors are welcome at the national monument.

BINGU WA MUTHARIKA

Bingu Wa Mutharika was the third president of the republic of Malawi, having been ushered in by his mentor-turned foe Bakili Muluzi (second president of the republic of Malawi).

Bingu was another visionary leader who brought tangible transformation to Malawi. Some of the massive projects he accomplished include Umodzi Park at City centre, near Kamuzu Mausoleum, Bingu national stadium, National fuel reserves, MUST university. During his first rule when he had no majority in the August house, Bingu was a favourite among the citizens and oftentimes having a public sympathy. This gave him a landslide victory in a later election in 2009 which resulted in amassing parliamentary majority.

During his second term, it showed he lost favour both at international and local level due to his policies. He expelled a British High commissioner to Malawi, declaring him persona-non grata. The British reacted in kind. Later the country lost major international financial support from the donor community. Bingu died of cardiac arrest and is laid to rest in his Mausoleum he pre-built years prior to his death in Thyolo district, Southern Malawi.

CHAKUFWA THOM CHIHANA

Thom Chakufwa Chihana is a notable political figure in Malawi, remembered for fearlessly challenging Kamuzu Banda to usher in democracy. Chihana founded the Alliance for Democracy (Aford). In 1993, through a referendum, Malawi chose democracy. The father of democracy, Thom Chakufwa Chihana died on June 12, 2006 and was laid to rest at a modesty Heros Acre in Mzuzu, northern Malawi.

SIR ORTON KALULI CHIRWA

Orton Kaluli Chirwa, a Barrister, founded the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) which later invited Kamuzu Banda to take over leadership. Chirwa’s legacy still lives on through the political party he founded. MCP headquarters is at city centre opposite the Reserve Bank of Malawi. History lovers can pass-by to see the headquarters of a party that once ruled Malawi for 35 years with a dictatorship style leadership and later ruled again in a democratic style through a disputed 2019 election which saw the constitutional court declaring a re-run. MCP, which forged a convenience alliance with other political parties, came back to power after a re-run, thanks the alliance plan had worked!