Born on 12 April 1950 in Malemia village in Malawis colonial capital, Zomba, she was a humble seller of mandasi (fritters) in the markets. Once, when she was dismissed by a political opponent as not presidential material, she said: Yes, shes right. Im indeed a mandasi seller and Im proud of it, because the majority of women in Malawi are like us, mandasi sellers. She went on to take degrees from American and Italian universities, and earned renown for her work on female empowerment. In a deeply conservative Malawi, where women play second fiddle to men, Banda left her first husband Roy Kachale in 1981, saying it was an abusive relationship. Her current husband is Richard Banda, a retired chief justice. As president, Banda participated in a protest march against attacks on women by men for dressing in miniskirts - and she has also earned among international peers for championing causes her predecessors wouldnt dare to (gay rights). Her actions immediately after obtaining office signalled a clear statement of intent: this would be a different kind of African president, one who served the common people of her country. Not long after taking office, in a cleverly publicised gesture, she announced she would sell the presidential jet and fleet of 60 government-owned Mercedes limousines. Even smarter, she invited other African leaders to do the same. Their conspicuous failure to do so has shown her in a good light. Public transport would be her means of travel. Im used to hitch-hiking, she said.
Posted on: Thu, 17 Oct 2013 21:46:40 +0000
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