Each year on May 14, Malawi commemorates the birthday of Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda—the “Ngwazi”.
We honour him as our founding father for his pivotal role in Malawi’s independence and early state-building. Remembering such figures is essential, as history demands we acknowledge those who shaped our national identity.
However, the remembrance of Kamuzu must not be a one-sided affair. Celebrating his legacy should not come at the cost of silence regarding the suffering endured by thousands during his rule.
For national history to remain honest, it must stay balanced; both the achievements and the failures of that era are integral to the story of Malawi. While these facts may be uncomfortable for some, they represent the historical reality of the nation.
Acknowledging the victims and survivors of that period is not a political attack, but rather an effort to provide necessary context to the country’s political evolution. The fact that Kamuzu ruled with an iron-fist is a reality that cannot be erased from national memory. Just as the eras of Bakili Muluzi, Bingu wa Mutharika, Joyce Banda, Peter Mutharika, and Lazarus Chakwera are examined as part of a continuous political history, so too must the era of the Ngwazi be scrutinized. It is impossible to cherry-pick comfortable milestones while ignoring the painful chapters.
There are, nonetheless, positive aspects of that era to recognise. One notable example is ‘Youth Week’. During those years, young people were taught discipline, patriotism, and the value of hard work. Communities mobilized to construct village roads, bridges, and public facilities.
Participants engaged in national development through direct action and labour, often without relying on external funding from organizations like Usaid, Norad, or Tili Tonse. It served as a significant and unifying national cause.
Today, we face the sobering reality of a total dependence on foreign aid. It is a national shame that we rely on donors for basic necessities—even the construction of toilets and instructions on how to use them—for tasks our grandfathers managed independently. Our ancestors possessed a profound understanding of self-reliance that we seem to have lost.
To move forward, we need a radical mindset shift to revive the spirit of ownership, hard work, and responsibility that once defined our nation. During the era of Hastings Kamuzu Banda, we witnessed undeniable achievements: economic stability, a disciplined and corruption-free public service, food security, and a vibrant culture of community service through initiatives like Youth Week.
However, these successes cannot be separated from the dark side of his rule. Kamuzu’s leadership was marked by extreme brutality and gross human rights violations. Thousands of critics—both real and perceived—were detained without trial, tortured, murdered, or forced into exile. It is heartbreaking that these victims remain forgotten, their pain ignored in our national discourse.
We speak of “healing,” but true national reconciliation is impossible while these atrocities remain buried. While some avoid this narrative for political convenience, the scars of that era remain raw for many Malawians today. We cannot build a promising future by running away from our past, no matter how uncomfortable it may be.
A mature democracy requires the courage to confront the full spectrum of its history—both the progress and the pain. If we truly desire justice and unity, we cannot sugar-coat the past.
I pray for a bold, moral leader who is not bound by political interests, but who will finally recognize the victims and answer the cries of survivors. Pursuing the Malawi 2063 agenda while ignoring accountability is counterproductive; meaningful development must be rooted in truth, justice, and genuine national healing.
