Joyce Banda had already made history being Malawi’s first female president and now, only 2 months since she being sworn into power, Banda is proving to be a force to be reckoned with. Taking over from President Bingu Wa Mutharika who died suddenly at the beginning of April of a heart attack, Banda, who was already serving as the county’s Vice President, took to the presidency with fierce criticism from oppositional parties for her background as a 'market woman'. A profession that more than 80% of the Malawi women are said to be working in, Banda has publicly acknowledged and taken pride in her background.
Born in 1950 in Malawi, Banda studied in both the US and Europe. She is a brilliant business woman and women's rights activist, setting up numerous business and charities to support Malawian women and children such as the National Association of Business Women. Founded by Banda in 1990 as a non-profit organisation, it provides start-up finance for female traders.
Married for the second time, Banda left her first husband in 1981 for being abusive. This is a very bold thing to have done, since in her own word saying "most African women are taught to endure abusive marriages. They say endurance means a good wife.”
In Banda’s short time as Malawi’s President, she has rejected the lavish presidential lifestyle known to her predecessor, selling off/ leasing the £8.4m presidential jet and fleets of luxury government cars. Banda, who is quoted saying she is “already used to hitchhiking,” will return the money back to the Malawi government to use to support the country and its people. Banda has also overturned the county’s ban on homosexuality, restored the country’s 1964 independence flag which was previously removed by the late president and fired the police commissioner for corruption!
Banda’s no tolerance for corruption is what made the AU summit move to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia. Originally set to take place in Malawi, Banda declared publicly that Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir would be arrested on arrival in line with the warrant out for his arrest by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.
Staying true to her fight for women’s rights, Banda has made this the centre of her presidency saying that “I'm carrying this heavy load on behalf of all women." Banda has started projects to improve the working conditions of market women, is establishing crèches and is providing financial services such as savings and loan schemes. Banda is said to also be launching campaigns to empower women and young girls by encouraging education and shift the Malawian culture away from child marriage and early motherhood.
While it’s all very exciting to see these necessary changes being implemented, political life has not come easy for Banda with the late president Mutharika attempting on several occasions to oust her. They don’t make political leaders like Joyce Banda. She is brilliant; a real politician for her people and country. If only the rest of the worlds leaders would take note - because I’m sure Joyce Banda has a lot more to teach them.
- Donalea Scott