Malawi President Joyce Banda has said Nobel peace laureate Nelson Mandela’s spirit of forgiveness, courage and passion to put people first greatly influenced her life.
Making her speech as chairperson of Southern African Development Community (Sadc) at Mandela’s burial in Qunu, South Africa, yesterday, the President said Mandela’s courage, determination, love and passion for his people inspired her on a journey to become the first elected female President in Malawi.
“After three years of isolation, humiliation and name-calling, I found myself in a situation where I had to work with those who had desired to prevent me from becoming President of my country. I had to forgive them without effort.
“Tata’s courage, determination, love and passion for his people inspired me on my journey to becoming the first elected woman President in my country. I learned that leadership is about falling in love with the people and the people falling in love with you.
“It is about serving the people with selflessness, with sacrifice and with the need to put the common good ahead of personal interests,” said Banda who drew a chorus of applause from guests that witnessed Mandela’s burial.
Banda gave a litany of how she knew Mandela when he visited Malawi in 1990, after his release from prison, her visit to Robben Island with a team from Malawi and some rare moments where she interacted with him at a conference in 1997 in Kasane, Botswana.
“I was inspired by this great leader who was focused, calm and collected,” she said.
In 2011, President Banda visited Mandela at his home in Johannesburg recalling that she had a moving conversation with South Africa’s first black president.
As Sadc chairperson, Banda said the passing on of Mandela is not only a loss to South Africa, but also to the Sadc Region, and indeed to the world.
“The Sadc region will remember him for his wisdom and statesmanship; his humility and sense of humour; and his servant leadership style.
“Tata Madiba believed that all people are created equal. The way he conducted himself, he saw no boundaries between and among the countries of the region. He championed the freedom of not only South Africans but also all Africans,” she said.
