Malawi Comemorates 60 Years of Independence

6th July, Malawians all over the world celebrate their country’s 60 years of independence having gained it from Britain in 1964.

Then Nyasaland, the country was independent for thousands of years, populated by native tribes including the San, Bantu, Yao, and Amaravi.

Portuguese traders led by Gasper Bocarro began exploring the area in 1616, though a Scottish explorer, David Livingstone claimed to be the first European to explore the Lake Malawi.

Britain sent a consul to the area in 1883, beginning the process of colonization, shortly years later, the land became a British protectorate.

In 1907, the British renamed the area Nyasaland, meaning “the people of the lake.”

After several decades of colonial rule, the 1940’s brought a wind of change with the formation of the Nyasaland African Congress (NAC), later renamed the Malawi Congress Party, fought for independence from the British Empire. Thousands of people from across southern Africa joined the NAC.

Orton Chirwa formed the MCP but soon after, a new leader emerged – Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda originally from Chiwengo Village in Kasungu District.

Banda led Malawi’s struggle for independence and became the first Prime Minister in 1963 leading to a new constitution going into effect in 1964, Malawi became a fully independent member of the Commonwealth on July 6, 1964.

Banda ruled over Malawi for 30 years before the unrest, that led to the natives to be given a chance to vote in 1993 referendum, overwhelmingly voted in favour of a multi-party democracy.

The first free and fair elections were held in May of 1994, ushering the United Democratic Front leader, Bakili Muluzi becoming the first democratically elected president of the Republic of Malawi.

Bingu wa Mutharika, Joyce Banda, Peter Mutharika and now Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera have led the country despite some political strife in the years following. Malawi remains a free democracy where people have the ability to vote and choose leaders of their choices.

Happy Independence to you all!