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144-621: The Commission had 20 members, appointed as representatives of six different interest groups: The Commission concluded that the Federation could not be maintained except by force or through massive changes in racial legislation. It advocated a majority of black African members in the Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesian legislatures and giving these territories the option to leave the Federation after five years. Released in October 1960,

288-691: A B.Phil. degree in 1931. During this time he enjoyed financial support from Mrs Smith, whose husband, Douglas Smith, had made fortunes from patent medicines and Pepsodent toothpaste and as a member of the Eastman Kodak board. He then, still with financial support from these and other benefactors (including Walter B. Stephenson of the Delta Electric Company), studied medicine at Meharry Medical College in Tennessee , from which he obtained an M.D. degree in 1937. [1] Banda became

432-480: A "highly repressive autocracy ." He also received criticism for maintaining full diplomatic relations with the apartheid government in South Africa . By 1993, amid increasing domestic and international pressure, he agreed to hold a referendum which ended the one-party system. Soon afterwards, a special assembly ended his life-term presidency and stripped him of most of his powers. Banda ran for president in

576-684: A Labour MP, had been deported prior to the declaration of the state of emergency, adding to the tension. A Royal Commission was announced to investigate the violence. Welensky was indignant when asked to contribute to the Royal Commission, and the Labour Party boycotted it. In addition to the Royal Commission that investigated the Nyasaland violence (now known as the Devlin Report), the British Government organised

720-475: A Shoestring were banned. The mass media–a single radio station, a single daily newspaper, and a single weekly newspaper – were tightly controlled and mainly served as outlets for government propaganda, while the government refused to introduce television. However, wealthier Malawians bought sets as monitors for their VCRs. Knowledge of pre-Banda history was discouraged, and many books on these subjects were burned . Banda allegedly persecuted some of

864-604: A South African newspaper. He was paternalistic towards native Africans, but believed in the dictum of "equal rights for all civilised men" and gradual advancement. Behind the scenes, Welensky and the Rhodesians had been courting the Conservatives, while the native Africans had been doing the same with Labour. A British general election was held in 1951 and the Conservatives gained power. Labour , mindful of

1008-487: A back room and had to be silenced too. The four were later bundled into Matenje's Peugeot 604 and driven to Thambani in Mwanza District , west of Blantyre , where the accident was staged: sources reported that their car had "overturned while the men had been attempting to escape into neighbouring Mozambique". Later, it was found out they had been killed by having tent pins hammered into their heads. Banda ordered

1152-554: A diploma. With his financial support now ended, Banda earned some money on speaking engagements arranged by the Ghanaian educationalist Kwegyir Aggrey , whom he had met in South Africa. Speaking at a Kiwanis club meeting he met Dr Herald, with whose help he enrolled as a pre-medical student at Indiana University , where he lodged with Mrs W. N. Culmer. At Bloomington, he wrote several essays about his native Chewa tribe for

1296-593: A downward turn, but a Malawian task force spearheaded by Malawian diplomatic envoys to South Africa including SP Kachipande , and representatives in Malawi, including former diplomat, Mr. Phiri , arranged for a meeting between the two governments which resulted in Nelson Mandela 's first official visit to Malawi as president of the ANC in the early 1990s. He met with John Tembo and the president. The relations between

1440-412: A drop of British blood in his veins, shared this pride and loyalty [towards Britain] to the full." After leaving school at the age of fourteen, Welensky found employment with Rhodesia Railways as a fireman, while putting his physical strength to work as a boxer. He rose through the ranks of Rhodesia Railways to become a locomotive engine driver and became involved in the trade union movement, joining

1584-502: A friend, Dr Donal Brody, Banda said: "No one knows the hour, the date, the month or the year in which I was born, although I now accept the evidence that you give me – March or April 1898." He left his village school near Mtunthama for his maternal grandparents' home and attended Chayamba Primary School in Chikondwa. In 1908, he moved to Chilanga mission station and was baptised in 1910. The name Kamnkhwala, meaning "little medicine",

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1728-543: A lingering symbol of colonialism . Other UN officials reached a ceasefire agreement with Tshombe in Ndola, and Macmillan thanked Welensky for facilitating the meeting. The British government ultimately decided to support the concept of a unified Congo and rallied against Katanga's secession. Welensky thought the decision was cynical and displayed weakness in the British Empire. Welensky's attitude towards Katanga and

1872-524: A modified Federation. The British government broadly accepted Monckton's report, and this signaled a withdrawal of support for the Federation and the acceptance of early majority rule for Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesia. Accordingly, and despite opposition from Sir Robert Armitage , the Governor of Nyasaland , from the Governments of the Federation and of Southern Rhodesia, and from some colleagues in

2016-676: A move which he feared would result in further deprivation of rights for the Nyasaland blacks. The (as he called it) "stupid" federation was formed in 1953. It was rumoured with some excitement that he would return to Nyasaland in 1951, but he moved instead to the Gold Coast in West Africa. He went there partly because of a scandal involving his receptionist in Harlesden, Merene French (Mrs French); despite reports that she became pregnant with his child, this has never been confirmed. Banda

2160-452: A new capital city at Lilongwe , in his home region. Hence he turned to South Africa – itself playing geo-political games in the region – which gave him a soft loan of 300 million Rand . The quid pro quo was that Banda had to support South Africa's apartheid policies among fellow African leaders. Hence, on one occasion he paid a state visit to South Africa where he met his South African counterparts at Stellenbosch . Banda once noted that, "It

2304-408: A night burial and mandated that the caskets not be opened for a last viewing. During Banda's presidency, Malawi initially refused to establish diplomatic relations with any of the communist governments of Eastern Europe or Asia (however, relations were later established with Kim Il Sung 's North Korea in 1982 and with Nicolae Ceaușescu 's Romania and Enver Hoxha 's Albania in 1985). Banda

2448-683: A parish in the Church of Scotland. Between 1941 and 1945, he worked as a doctor in North Shields , near Newcastle upon Tyne . He was a tenant of Mrs Amy Walton at this time in Alma Place in North Shields and sent a Christmas card to her every year right up until her death in the late-1960s. In 1944, he met Merene French, the daughter-in-law of one of his patients, and began a relationship with her. After World War II, he established

2592-629: A practice at the London suburb of Kilburn and became politically active by joining the Labour Party and Fabian Colonial Bureau, which was founded in 1940. Banda moved to London in 1945, buying a practice in the North London suburb of Harlesden . In 1945, at the behest of Chief Mwase of Kasungu , whom he had met in England in 1939, and other politically active Malawians, he represented

2736-460: A role which was apparently performed by John Msonthi and later by John Tembo , who remained close to him for most of his career). He was received enthusiastically wherever he spoke, and resistance to imperialism among the Malawians became increasingly common. By February 1959, the situation had become serious enough that Rhodesian troops were flown in to help keep order, and a state of emergency

2880-490: A second one, known as the Monckton Report, to advise on the future of the federation. Released in October 1960, the report advocated sweeping changes to be made to the federal structure, including African majorities in the Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesian legislatures. Welensky was outraged when the report was published, calling it the "death knell of federation" and rejecting it out of hand. African nationalist opinion

3024-627: A showing on 6 July 1958 after an absence of about 42 years. In August, at Nkata Bay , he was acclaimed as the leader of the Congress. He soon began touring the country, speaking against the Central African Federation (also known as the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland ), and urging its citizens to become members of the party. Allegedly, he was so out of practice in his native Chichewa that he needed an interpreter,

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3168-416: A television platform with Smith on 3 September, Welensky talked of the economic and political dangers of a UDI, but nonetheless wished Smith luck when he departed for independence talks in London. Welensky had much more antipathy for the British Government than for his RF opponents, and was disgusted at their treatment of the Rhodesians during constitutional talks: I want to remind you that I am no friend of

3312-428: Is law...literally law." Within Malawi, views on him ranged from cult-like devotion to fear. In 1983, three ministers – Dick Matenje , Twaibu Sangala , Aaron Gadama – and Member of Parliament David Chiwanga died in what was labelled officially as a "traffic accident". Banda had invited an "internal debate on pending multiparty democracy" in Malawi. During a cabinet meeting, the three ministers had voiced support for

3456-458: Is only contact like this [between South Africa and Malawi] that can reveal to your people that there are civilized people other than white..." Banda's staunch anticommunism also influenced his decision to seek warm relations with South Africa. After the apartheid era ended and the ANC came to dominate South African politics during the 1990s, relations between Malawi and South Africa threatened to take

3600-558: The Governor of Nyasaland proclaimed a state of emergency on 3 March and the nationalist leaders were arrested and flown to jails in Southern Rhodesia. In the subsequent fortnight, riots broke out and troops used force to end the violence. Almost 50 people died in the unrest. The main militant African nationalist parties in each territory were banned by the federal and territorial governments, but all reorganised under new names only months later. The Southern Rhodesian ANC became

3744-530: The Malawi Congress Party , remains a major force in Malawian politics. In 1995, Banda was arrested and charged with the murder, ten years previously, of former cabinet colleagues. He was acquitted due to lack of evidence. Banda remained quite unrepentant in his opinion of Malawians, calling them "children in politics" and saying they would miss his iron-fisted rule. A statement of apology

3888-878: The National Democratic Party (later ZAPU ), the Northern Rhodesian ANC became the Zambian African National Congress , and the Nyasaland ANC became the Malawi Congress Party . The media's use of the term ' police state ' to describe the response to the violence outraged the Liberals, the Church of Scotland and leftist Conservatives, and particularly the Labour Party, in Britain. John Stonehouse ,

4032-573: The Northern Rhodesian Labour Party , with the aim of amalgamating the colony with Southern Rhodesia under a new constitution. The party won all five seats it contested in the 1941 elections . After the leader of the unofficial members in the Legislative Council, Stewart Gore-Browne , resigned in 1945 and stated that black Africans had lost confidence in the whites (due to the wish for amalgamation), Welensky

4176-738: The Nyasaland African Congress at the Fifth Pan-African Congress in Manchester . This conference was attended by other future African leaders, Jomo Kenyatta and Kwame Nkrumah . With help from sympathetic Britons, he also lobbied in London on behalf of the Congress. Banda was actively opposed to the efforts of Sir Roy Welensky , a politician in Northern Rhodesia , to form a federation between Southern and Northern Rhodesia with Nyasaland,

4320-901: The Republic of the Congo , it collapsed into a state of anarchy within a fortnight. The large Belgian population of the Congo fled from the violence into neighbouring states, including the Federation. Welensky dispatched the Royal Rhodesian Air Force (RRAF) to assist in their evacuation, but was prevented by the British government from entering the Congo itself. Refugees fled by foot to Ndola in Northern Rhodesia, where RRAF planes picked them up and flew them to camps in Salisbury. More than 6,000 people were evacuated by

4464-668: The Rhodesian Railway Workers' Union . After participating in the unsuccessful 1929 Rhodesian Railways strike, Welensky was moved by management to Broken Hill , the main base of the railways in Northern Rhodesia . In 1933, he became Chairman of the Broken Hill branch of the union, and was appointed to the National Council. While working on the railways, he became the professional heavyweight boxing champion of Southern Rhodesia at 19 years old and held

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4608-739: The Western Bloc during the Cold War . He generally supported women's rights , improved the country's infrastructure and maintained a good educational system relative to other African countries. However, he presided over one of the most repressive regimes in Africa, an era that saw political opponents regularly tortured and murdered. Human rights groups estimate that at least 6,000 people were killed, tortured and jailed without trial. As many as 18,000 people were killed during his rule, according to one estimate. His rule has been characterised as

4752-968: The Witwatersrand Deep Mine on the Transvaal Reef for several years. During this time, he met Bishop William Tecumseh Vernon of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) who offered to pay his tuition fee at a Methodist school in the United States if he could pay his own passage. In 1925, he left for New York . Banda studied in the high school section of the Wilberforce Institute, an African American AME college (a member of AME), now known as Central State University , in Wilberforce, Ohio , and graduated in 1928 with

4896-478: The democratic elections that followed and was defeated. He died in South Africa in 1997. Kamuzu Banda was born Akim Kamnkhwala Mtunthama Banda near Kasungu in Malawi (then British Central Africa ) to Mphonongo Banda and Akupingamnyama Phiri. His date of birth is unknown, as it took place when there was no birth registration documentation, but Banda himself often gave his date of birth as 14 May 1906. Later, when presented with evidence of certain tribal customs by

5040-428: The encomium " ... pediatrician to his infant nation". However, this image masked a regime that was rigidly authoritarian even by African standards of the time. While the constitution nominally guaranteed all manner of civil liberties, his government paid little attention to them in practice. Banda himself bluntly summed up his approach to ruling the country by saying, "Everything is my business. Everything. Anything I say

5184-581: The "stupid federation" was a smokescreen he used to reject the proposed Bangula Hydro-electric dam – proposed to be bigger than the Gezira Dam in Khartoum – that Welensky's Federation had sought and obtained funding for from the British government. Banda went on to blame everything including snails (likely to cause widespread Bilharzia) to abort the project. In turn, the British denied Banda the funding and budgetary support he needed to build his pet dream of

5328-428: The 1970s, prospective visitors to the country were informed of the following requirement for obtaining visas : Female passengers will not be permitted to enter the country if wearing short dresses or trouser-suits, except in transit or at Lake Holiday resorts or National parks. Skirts and dresses must cover the knees to conform with Government regulations. The entry of 'hippies' and men with long hair and flared trousers

5472-731: The 1980s, Banda supported both the government and the guerrilla movement during the Mozambique civil war . He successfully gave the Malawi Army and Malawi Young Pioneers opposing missions in Mozambique from 1987 to 1992. He had the Malawi Army support the Mozambican government, controlled by FRELIMO after the country's independence in 1975, to defend Malawi's interests in Mozambique. This was done formally through an agreement in 1984 with Samora Machel . Simultaneously, Banda used

5616-508: The Act of Parliament that created the Federation expressly reserved to the British parliament the right to make such provision for the Federation’s future as it saw fit. It had been agreed between the British and Federal governments in 1957 that a Federal Review Conference on future of Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland would be held in 1960, and this began in London, on 5 December 1960. However,

5760-511: The African nationalist Malawi Congress Party won a huge majority, and Banda set about lobbying the British Government for the break-up of the Federation and the independence of Nyasaland as Malawi. In Northern Rhodesia, neither the UFP nor the two African nationalist parties held a majority, but the African nationalists united to push for independence. Welensky hoped to get a display of confidence in

5904-511: The B-roll vote, and vice versa. All constitutions were signed by the UFP and the African nationalist party in each territory. However, there were immediate repercussions; Ian Smith , chief whip for the UFP in the federal assembly, resigned in protest at the new Southern Rhodesian constitution, calling it "racialist", while the nationalist National Democratic Party withdrew support for the constitution having earlier signed it. Eventually, Welensky

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6048-477: The British Government over the future of the Federation. Losing patience with the British, Welensky took a harder line against them: "I've tried all along to behave in a reasonable and responsible manner. Now I'm seriously wondering whether restraint has been the right policy." After Banda was released from prison against the wishes of Welensky, Banda travelled to the United Kingdom, where he took part in

6192-524: The British Government were not. It was agreed that continued pushes for amalgamation would fail, with both the British and native Africans opposed. Welensky suggested that the Constitution of Australia be used as a basis for the proposed federal constitution, and pushed the idea of 'partnership' between blacks and whites. However, he insisted that "for as long as I can see, in that partnership [the whites] will be senior partners". Apart from organising

6336-647: The Congo would strain relations between the federation and the British until its dissolution. When UN troops initiated military action against Katanga in December 1962, Tshombe fled to Salisbury and met with Welensky, vowing to continue the secession. Nevertheless, the Katangese government surrendered in January 1963. With new constitutions in place for the territories, elections were held throughout 1961–62, with Welensky's UFP being beaten in each one. In Nyasaland,

6480-534: The Constitution required the votes of two-thirds of the members of the Federal Assembly and had also to gain the assent of the United Kingdom parliament before becoming law. If the such proposed amendment were objected to by one or more of the territorial Legislatures, the British government could not override that objection if either House of Parliament resolved to accept it. Following the report of

6624-495: The Federal talks were suspended on 16 December 1960 so that talks could be held on constitutional developments in two of the three constituent territories. These continued until February 1961, but did not include Nyasaland, as Hastings Banda , who only attended the conference with extreme reluctance, walked out on 12 December. The talks also failed to produce a workable constitutional solution for Northern Rhodesia; Banda’s success in

6768-528: The Federation and advocating independence for their respective territories. With Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesia now promised independence by Britain under ' one man, one vote ' constitutions, the Federation was essentially dead. Southern Rhodesia, still governed by its white minority, was subject to attacks in the United Nations general assembly which regarded its constitution as unsatisfactory. It demanded 'one man, one vote' elections, stating that this

6912-477: The Federation for the first and last time. There, he held talks in person with Welensky and the territorial governments, and he took the opportunity to gauge African opinion towards the Federation. Macmillan also wished to talk to the jailed African leaders, but was met with a rebuff from Welensky. Hastings Banda discussed the probability of his release from prison with the British Government through Labour MP Dingle Foot . Welensky had Banda's cell wired for sound and

7056-439: The Federation in the two northern territories. It considered Federation could not survive without at least a major devolution of powers to Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesia, giving more voting rights to black Africans and lessening racial discrimination. Most importantly, it also recommended that Britain should retain the right to allow the secession of either northern territory, recognising that black nationalists would not accept even

7200-430: The Federation seemed to its opponents to be an unwelcome obstacle. In Britain, Labour grew more critical, and African nationalists in the federation itself became more vocal, dissatisfied with the liberalisation that was taking place, and demanding faster moves towards African advancement. The Governor of Northern Rhodesia, Sir Arthur Benson, wrote a secret letter to his superiors in Britain, highly critical of Welensky and

7344-541: The Federation's ability to repel an attack with his defence chiefs and plans were set in motion. In the end, the idea of a British invasion was one of many options considered, and it did not make it past cabinet discussion. Welensky once told a journalist that he was considering incorporating the Belgian Congo 's Katanga Province into the Federation. After the Belgian Congo gained independence in 1960 as

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7488-410: The Federation, so he dissolved parliament in mid-1962 and held elections. While his party won a huge victory, it did so because it was completely unopposed. Neither the recently formed RF nor the African nationalist parties bothered to contest it. In Southern Rhodesia, the UFP lost the hold that it and its successor parties had for decades in the October election . Ian Smith, a former federal member of

7632-540: The Federation. Welensky stayed in regular communication with Tshombe, although they did not meet in person until late September 1961. In September, United Nations troops launched Operation Morthor, bringing them into conflict with Katangese forces. Though Welensky had abided by previous instructions from Macmillan to refrain from troop deployments, the British High Commissioner gave him permission this time, and Welensky moved ground troops and most of

7776-467: The Federation. It marked the decline of a gradual approach to decolonisation, and a rapid speeding-up of the process. Politically, only three years after its founding, the federation began to decline. International attitudes to the Federation were critical, particularly from the Afro-Asian bloc in the United Nations. At a time when most colonial powers were rushing their colonies towards independence,

7920-416: The Legislative Council, he embarked on a speaking tour of the territory. In January 1959, he stated in a speech that he "put Salisbury [the capital] on fire ... I got Salisbury rocking, rocking, and got it awake out of its political sleep ...", after which his followers stoned passing cars and police officers. The federal government met with the territorial governments to plan for a response should

8064-652: The MYP as couriers and active supporters of the Mozambican National Resistance ( RENAMO ), which had been fighting against Machel's government since the late 1970s. Malawi was used to channel foreign aid from South Africa's apartheid government. Machel issued a dossier to Frontline States with evidence that Banda was still supporting the insurgents in spite of the 1984 agreement to stop. By September 1986, Machel, Robert Mugabe , and Kenneth Kaunda visited Banda to persuade him to stop supporting RENAMO. Machel's successor, Joaquim Chissano , continued to complain of Malawi's lack of willingness to stop supporting RENAMO. Banda however

8208-557: The Malawi Censorship Board and edited for content. Nudity and other socially or politically unacceptable content were barred and movies could not even show couples kissing. Videotapes had to be sent to the Censorship Board to be viewed. Once edited, the film was given a sticker stating that it was now suitable for viewing and sent back to the owner. Items to be sold in bookshops were also edited. Pages, or parts of pages, were cut out of magazines like Newsweek and Time . Communist literature, erotic magazines, and Lonely Planet 's Africa on

8352-414: The Monckton Commission, which suggested an early conference on the Federal Constitution, the Lord Chancellor , Lord Kilmuir stated the British government’s position on the future of the Federation. He accepted that it had no power to intervene in the internal affairs of Southern Rhodesia, but said that Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland remained the British government’s responsibility. Kilmuir also stated that

8496-411: The Nyasaland constitutional talks. The outcome was a constitution which, through a voting system that was as complex as that of the Federation itself, amounted to black majority rule for the territory. Bitter and angry at what he saw as British ignorance to the situation, Welensky did not comprehend how the British were willing to deal with Banda. In Welensky's words, since his release from prison, "[Banda]

8640-550: The Nyasaland elections of August 1961 made it inevitable that Nyasaland at least would leave the Federation. The conference did little except to make clear the views of Banda for Nyasaland and Kaunda for Northern Rhodesia that Africans in the northern two territories wanted to leave the Federation, and of Joshua Nkomo that the African majority in Southern Rhodesia wanted majority rule. Roy Welensky Sir Roland " Roy " Welensky KCMG PC JP ( né Raphael Welensky ; 20 January 1907 – 5 December 1991)

8784-431: The Organization of African Unity until Banda left power. Banda responded by accusing other African countries of hypocrisy, saying in a public speech to his parliament: "There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats" ( Julius Caesar ). He told them to concentrate on convincing the South African government that apartheid was unnecessary. Furthermore, he added that "[African leaders] practice disunity, not unity, while posing as

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8928-408: The Portuguese colonial government by appointing Jorge Jardim as Malawi's Honorary Consul in Mozambique in September 1964. He also worked against Liberation Front of Mozambique ( FRELIMO ) forces in Malawi in continued support of the Portuguese colonial forces. The Organization of African Unity had designated Malawi as one of the Frontline States to help independence movements in Mozambique. By

9072-415: The RRAF to the frontier. United Nations Secretary General Dag Hammarskjöld , hoping to negotiate a solution to Katanga's secession, agreed to meet Tshombe at Ndola. However, Hammarskjöld's plane was shot down from Rhodesian territory close to Ndola in November 1961, and he was killed. Welensky was subsequently blamed for the accident throughout the communist and Afro-Asian world, becoming a hated figure and

9216-488: The RRAF. The leader of Katanga, Moise Tshombe , requested British and Rhodesian forces to enter the country to restore order. Welensky was sympathetic to the situation but unable to act; the British government, which had ultimate jurisdiction over the Federation, disallowed him from mobilising the armed forces. Tshombe declared Katanga unilaterally independent on 11 July 1960, one day after requesting British and Rhodesian assistance. Welensky pleaded with Macmillan to deploy

9360-404: The Republic of Malawi, Ngwazi Dr. H. Kamazu Banda." The title "ngwazi" means "saviour" or "conqueror" in Chichewa. Banda was mostly viewed externally as a benign, albeit eccentric, leader, an image fostered by his English-style three-piece suits , matching handkerchiefs , walking stick and fly-whisk . In June 1967, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Massachusetts with

9504-400: The Rhodesia Party. With the Rhodesian Front pushing for independence for the territory and a new constitution, the Rhodesia Party advocated the same, but with a focus on stemming white emigration and rebuilding the economy (all three territories had slipped into recession with the end of the federation). With the resignation of the RF member for the Salisbury constituency of Arundel, Welensky

9648-423: The Rhodesian forces, but Macmillan rebuffed him, telling Welensky that their hopes were pinned on the United Nations being able to restore order and hoping for a wholly neutral or anti-communist Congo. Welensky decided to support Tshombe, feeling that Katanga could provide a buffer between the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland and Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba of the Congolese government. Welensky feared Lumumba

9792-415: The Rhodesias could be put to best use. He felt that the colonies were missing out on the post-war economic boom. To this end, Welensky organised a conference in February 1949 to investigate the idea of a federation. Held at the Victoria Falls Hotel (a common venue for Rhodesian political conferences), representatives from the Northern and Southern Rhodesian Governments were present, but native Africans and

9936-427: The UFP to lose the next election. After repeated failed attempts to secure Dominion status for the federation, the prime minister Godfrey Huggins opted not to stand again for his party's leadership at their September 1956 conference. Huggins resigned in October, and Welensky, the second-most senior figure in the federal arena, was chosen to replace him. Welensky took office on 1 November. On taking office, Welensky

10080-471: The UFP, had united with Winston Field of the Dominion Party to form the Rhodesian Front, a conservative party that was opposed to a fast rate of African political advancement and the 1961 constitution, and in support of Southern Rhodesian independence. The RF won 55% of the vote and 35 A-roll seats, while the UFP won 44% of the vote, 15 A-roll seats and 14 B-roll seats. Welensky now had parties in power in all three territorial legislatures that were opposed to

10224-486: The UK met with Banda at the Port of Liverpool , Liverpool , where he was making arrangements to return to Ghana. He agreed to return, but asked for some time to sort out a few private matters. The delegation returned without him and proceeded to make arrangements for his imminent return. After two false starts, including a fracas between the police and African crowds threatening to storm a BOAC aeroplane rumoured to be carrying Dr Banda at Chileka Airport , Banda finally made

10368-544: The United Nations requested permission to post observers at the Katangese–Rhodesian border to halt the smuggling, Welensky refused to assent. Welensky heavily criticised UN peacekeeping operations in the Congo and the United Kingdom's response to the crisis. He used this as a means to mobilize white Rhodesian support for his government as it came under increasing pressure from the white supremacist Rhodesian Front (RF) party for failing to contain black nationalism within

10512-480: The amalgamation of Northern and Southern Rhodesia (the latter under white self-government, the former under the colonial office). Although unsuccessful, he succeeded in the formation of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, a state within the British Empire that sought to retain predominant power for the white minority while moving in a progressive political direction, in contrast to South Africa under

10656-588: The apartheid system . Becoming Prime Minister of the Federation in 1956, Welensky opposed British moves towards black majority rule, and he used force to suppress politically motivated violence in the territories. After the advent of black majority rule in two of the Federation's three territories (Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland , now Zambia and Malawi , respectively), the Federation collapsed in 1963. Welensky retired to Salisbury, where he re-entered politics and attempted to stop Rhodesia (formerly Southern Rhodesia) from unilaterally declaring itself independent . With

10800-503: The blacks. Personally I could not live in a country where they were in control." Welensky considered a federal unilateral declaration of independence when the new Northern Rhodesian constitution appeared likely to grant an African majority in its parliament. Determined at one point to prevent changes, Welensky was convinced that, if he refused, the British would use military force to remove his government. Believing that preparations were being made for an invasion from Kenya , he discussed

10944-613: The cabinet, Colonial Secretary Iain Macleod released Hastings Banda from detention on 1 April 1960 and immediately began to negotiate with him on Nyasaland's constitutional future. The state of emergency was lifted on 16 June 1960. The Malawi Congress Party was formed in 1959 as the successor to the banned Nyasaland African Congress, with Banda as leader. Following an overwhelming Malawi Congress Party victory in August 1961 elections, preparations were made for Nyasaland's independence, which

11088-422: The campuses. In April 1992, Chakufwa Chihana , a labour unionist, openly called for a national referendum on the political future of Malawi. He was arrested before he finished his speech at Lilongwe International Airport. By October 1992, this mounting pressure from within and from the international community forced Banda to concede to hold a referendum on whether to maintain the one-party state. The referendum

11232-508: The colonial governments had, again, insisted on amalgamation. They were rebuffed by the left-leaning public servant (later Sir) Andrew Cohen , who, after much deliberation, brought the parties to an agreement. It was acknowledged by those at the meeting that, all too often, the racial policies of the Rhodesias were confused with the emerging apartheid of South Africa, and Welensky himself claimed to refute these ideas when being interviewed by

11376-402: The council. Nyasaland's inclusion in the Federation was never a goal of its proponents, it was there primarily because it was not economically viable by itself. Welensky did not understand or appreciate the party's goal of increased African representation or secession when it relied on the Federation for its well being. Hastings Banda , the leader of the Nyasaland nationalist cause, returned to

11520-493: The country became Zimbabwe in 1980. While in London in 1971, and by then a widower, Welensky met Miriam Valerie Scott. The couple were married, and went on to have two daughters. They relocated to Blandford Forum , Dorset, in 1981, where he died on 5 December 1991. Hastings Banda Hastings Kamuzu Banda ( c.  1898 – 25 November 1997) was the leader of Malawi from 1964 to 1994. He served as Prime Minister from independence in 1964 to 1966, when Malawi

11664-516: The country had already been a de facto one-party state since independence. The new constitution effectively turned Banda's presidency into a legal dictatorship. In 1970, a congress of the MCP declared Banda its president for life. In 1971, the legislature declared Banda President for Life of Malawi as well. For the next quarter century, his full title was "His Excellency the Life President of

11808-419: The country to independence in 1964. Two years later, he proclaimed Malawi a republic with himself as the first president. He consolidated power and later declared Malawi a one-party state under the Malawi Congress Party (MCP). In 1970, the MCP made him the party's President for Life . In 1971, he became president for Life of Malawi itself. A renowned anti-communist leader in Africa, he received support from

11952-580: The end of white minority rule in 1979, and the recognised independence of Rhodesia as the Republic of Zimbabwe under Robert Mugabe in 1980, Welensky emigrated to the United Kingdom, where he died in England in 1991. A fervent admirer of Britain and its Empire, Welensky described himself as "half Jewish, half Afrikaner [and] 100% British". Welensky was born in Pioneer Street, Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia . His father, Michael Welensky (b. c . 1843),

12096-503: The federal legislature in 1953 for the United Federal Party (UFP), created by himself and Southern Rhodesian prime minister Sir Godfrey Huggins . The party was successful in its first election , with twice the votes of the opposition Confederate Party. Welensky himself gained more than 80% of the vote in the federal constituency of Broken Hill and was immediately promoted to Minister for Transport. The first few years of

12240-402: The federation were characterised by a relatively peaceful political atmosphere and a booming economy. The government's coffers were kept full through revenue from Northern Rhodesia's copper mines, and overseas investment saw the rapid expansion of the cities of Salisbury , Bulawayo and Lusaka . High-standard tar roads replaced dirt tracks, and the railway system was expanded. Welensky credited

12384-616: The federation, Welensky won a significant political battle in Northern Rhodesia against the British South Africa Company (BSAC), which controlled mineral rights and the associated royalties throughout the territory. The company, and not the British Crown, had signed the treaties with African kings that surrendered mining rights, but the BSAC had stopped administering Northern Rhodesia in 1924. Welensky argued that

12528-460: The federation; this letter remained undiscovered until 1958, when Huggins revealed it to Welensky. The Colonial Secretary Alan Lennox-Boyd visited the Federation in January 1957, while Welensky prepared to outline the difficulties regarding African advancement. Seeking to bring Africans into the established political processes, and hoping they would shun the recently formed African National Congress (ANC) parties, Welensky hit out at what he saw as

12672-626: The folklorist Stith Thompson , who introduced him to Edward Sapir , an anthropologist at the University of Chicago , to which, after four semesters, he transferred. During his period there, he collaborated with the Afro-American anthropologist and linguist Mark Hanna Watkins , providing information on his native Chewa language . This led to the publication of a grammar book of the language. In Chicago, he lodged with an African-American, Corinna Saunders. He majored in history, graduating with

12816-410: The future in our endeavours to reconstruct and reconcile if we have to move forward at all. All adult citizens were required to be members of the MCP. Party cards had to be carried at all times and presented at random police inspections. The cards were sold, often by Banda's Malawi Young Pioneers (MYP). In some cases, these youths even sold cards for unborn children. The Malawi Young Pioneers were

12960-560: The government of Nyasaland (to facilitate his return there as a doctor) and from the Church of Scotland ; neither of these benefactors was aware of the other. (There are conflicting accounts of this. He might still have been funded by Mrs Smith.) When he enrolled for courses in tropical diseases in Liverpool , the Nyasaland government terminated his stipend. He was forced to leave Liverpool when he refused on conscientious grounds to be conscripted as an Army doctor. He also became an elder of

13104-467: The grounds of "not choking on his food", but ensured that the talks went smoothly. The federation was legally dissolved on 31 December 1963. With the collapse of the Federation, Welensky moved to Salisbury, Rhodesia (renamed from Southern Rhodesia after Northern Rhodesia gained independence as Zambia ). After a short break, he was invited to lead the UFP in Rhodesia, which had recently renamed itself

13248-656: The high rate of development to the astute management of the federal Minister of Finance, Donald MacIntyre . The Southern Rhodesian Government, under the leadership of Garfield Todd , began removing restrictions imposed on native Africans. The civil service opened more positions to blacks, the title for male Africans was changed from 'AM' (African male) to "Mr", and diners and restaurants were allowed to be multiracial; Welensky, as Transport Minister, allowed for railway dining cars to be multiracial. However, when it came to liberalising alcohol restrictions on blacks, Welensky argued against doing so, stating that such an action would cause

13392-504: The insurgents, essentially pitting the two against each other. The end of the Cold War sounded the death knell for Banda's naked autocracy. Western leaders and international aid donors no longer had any use for authoritarian anti-Communist regimes in the Third World, all of which came under mounting pressure to democratize. Donors told Banda that he had to implement reforms aimed at making his government transparent and accountable to

13536-577: The knees. The only exception to this was at vacation resorts and country clubs, where they could not be seen by the general public. Banda explained that these restrictions were not designed to oppress women, but instill respect and dignity for them. Men's hair had to be no longer than collar length, and foreign visitors at the airport were given mandatory haircuts if necessary. Any man who ventured into public with long hair could also be seized by police and subjected to an involuntary haircut. Even foreigners coming into Malawi were subject to Banda's dress code. In

13680-480: The leadership of his party. When the RF declared unilateral independence on 11 November 1965, Welensky was upset at the constitutional break with Britain. He believed that Rhodesia was entitled to her independence, and disagreed with the British government's demand for ' no independence before majority rule ', but was opposed to illegal action. Welensky continued living in Rhodesia until Robert Mugabe gained power and

13824-483: The liberators of Africa. While they play in the orchestra of Pan Africanism, their own Romes are burning". Banda was the only African ruler to establish diplomatic ties with South Africa during apartheid as well as the Portuguese regime in Mozambique. After the cabinet crisis in 1964, Banda became increasingly isolated in African politics. On the other hand, his antipathy for Roy Welensky and what he denounced as

13968-413: The ministers. Other ministers resigned in sympathy. The dissidents fled the country. Malawi adopted a new constitution on 6 July 1966, in which the country was declared a republic. Banda was elected the country's first president for a five-year term; he was the only candidate. The new document granted Banda wide executive and legislative powers, and also formally made the MCP the only legal party. However,

14112-686: The most repressive regimes in Africa to democracy was fairly peaceful. Operation Bwezani was a Malawi Army operation to disarm the Malawi Young Pioneers at the height of the political transition in December 1993. Bwezani means "give back." The MYP had a strong network of spies and supporters countrywide at all levels in society. They were Banda's personal security bodyguards and were all trained and indoctrinated in Kamuzuism and military training. The Malawi Army did not infiltrate this group before receiving encouragement by protests by

14256-492: The multiparty idea, effectively challenging Banda's claim to life presidency. Angered, Banda promptly "dissolved cabinet" and announced that parliament would meet immediately. At the end of that sitting of parliament, everyone in the chambers was effectively stripped of their political status. The three men were then rounded up at the Zomba Parliament buildings for questioning. Chiwanga happened on them being tortured in

14400-431: The name of nationhood, I offer my sincere apologies. I also appeal for a spirit of reconciliation and forgiveness amongst us all...Our beautiful country has been nicknamed ` The Warm Heart of Africa ' and we have been admired for our warmth and spirit of hardwork. This admiration calls not only for a need for us to look at our past and present and draw lessons from it, but there is even a greater need for us to look forward to

14544-588: The northern tribes (particularly the Tumbuka), banning their language and books as well as teachers from certain tribes. Foreigners who broke any of these rules were often declared Prohibited Immigrants and deported. His government supervised the people's lives very closely. Early in his rule, Banda instituted a dress code rooted in his socially conservative predilections. Women were not allowed to wear see-through clothing, to have visible cleavages, trousers, and were not allowed to wear skirts or dresses that went above

14688-418: The notorious paramilitary wing of the MCP, used to intimidate and harass the public. The Pioneers bore arms, conducted espionage and intelligence operations, and were trusted bodyguards for Banda. They helped foster the culture of fear that prevailed during his rule. Banda was the subject of an extensive cult of personality . Every business building was required to have an official picture of him hanging on

14832-538: The overwhelming opposition of Africans from both Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland and of the Colonial Office mandate to oversee native interests, had been lukewarm at best to the idea of federation, and had been wholly opposed to amalgamation. After the election, the bipartisan approach to federation broke down and the British laws for its creation passed only with the support of the Conservatives, with both Liberal and Labour Parties now opposed. Welensky stood for

14976-483: The people and the international community as a condition for further aid. The British government also stopped their financial support. In March 1992, Catholic bishops in Malawi issued a Lenten pastoral letter that criticized Banda and his government. Students of the University of Malawi at Chancellor College and the Polytechnic joined protests and demonstrations to support the bishops, forcing authorities to close

15120-557: The people. After some questions about his health, Banda ran in Malawi's first truly democratic presidential election in 1994 . He was roundly defeated by Bakili Muluzi , a Yao from the southern region of the country. Banda quickly conceded defeat. ″I wish to congratulate him wholeheartedly and offer him [Muluzi] my full support and cooperation,″ he said on state radio, marking an end to Malawi's 30 years of one-party rule . The party Banda led since taking over from Orton Chirwa in 1960,

15264-598: The poor Colonial Office practice of making the situation "[consist] of two opposed policies, black rule and white rule. They naturally prefer to aim for black rule and hope they will experience this, which they regard as the apotheosis of Colonial Office policy". The Nyasaland African Congress (NAC) was particularly vocal about increased African representation in the Nyasaland Legislative Council, demanding in September 1957 an African majority in

15408-650: The position until he was 21. During this time, Welensky met his first wife, Elizabeth Henderson, who was working at a café in Bulawayo, Southern Rhodesia at the time. They married after a two-year courtship. Welensky was elected to the Northern Rhodesian Legislative Council in the 1938 general elections . The Governor of Northern Rhodesia prevented Welensky from enlisting in the armed forces during World War II and appointed him Director of Manpower. In 1941, he formed his own party,

15552-543: The present Government in Rhodesia: I have opposed their policies and can be considered a political opponent. But I was as horrified as any other Rhodesian at this cavalier treatment of a country which has, since its creation, staunchly supported, in every possible way, Britain and the Commonwealth. On 1 October, Welensky was soundly defeated by his RF opponent, with 633 votes to Dupont's 1,079. In December, he resigned

15696-466: The report advocated sweeping changes to be made to the federal structure, including black African majorities in the Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesian legislatures. The Federal Prime Minister Sir Roy Welensky was outraged when the report was published, calling it the "death knell of federation" and rejecting it out of hand. Black nationalist opinion was just as opposed, but on different grounds. All nationalists wanted an end to federation, and independence for

15840-618: The second Malawian person to receive a medical degree, following Daniel Sharpe Malekebu . While studying at Meharry Medical College in Tennessee, Banda married Robertine Edmonds in 1934. To practise medicine in territories of the British Empire , however, Banda was apparently required to gain a second medical degree; he attended the University of Edinburgh and was subsequently awarded a Scottish triple conjoint diploma (with post-nominals LRCP(Edin) , LRCS(Edin) and LRCPSG ) in 1941. His studies were funded by stipends of £300 per year from

15984-460: The so-called Native Courts , ended certain colonial agricultural tariffs and made other reforms. In December 1962, R. A. Butler , British Secretary of State for African Affairs, essentially agreed to end the Federation. It was Banda himself who chose the name "Malawi" for the former Nyasaland; he had seen it on an old French map as the name of a "Lake Maravi" in the land of the Bororos , and liked

16128-507: The sound and appearance of the word as "Malawi". On 6 July 1964, exactly six years after Banda's return to the country, Nyasaland gained independence and renamed itself Malawi. Barely a month after independence, Malawi suffered the Cabinet Crisis of 1964 . Banda had already been accused of autocratic tendencies. Several of Banda's ministers presented him with proposals designed to limit his powers. Banda responded by dismissing four of

16272-593: The territories as black-majority-ruled states. The Monckton Commission toured the Federation in February 1960. It had been given limited terms of reference and was boycotted by the opposition Labour Party and the black nationalists in Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesia. As the Commission's composition seemed weighted towards a continuation of the Federation, its report disappointed the British government. The Monckton Commission reported widespread and sincere opposition to

16416-473: The territory had a right to the royalties, and he petitioned the Governor to take action. After many talks, the BSAC relented and agreed to surrender mineral rights in 1986, and to pay 20% of its profits from these rights to the government until then. In March 1952, the colonial and the British governments met in London to discuss federation. There, the idea for a federation was finalised and settled, although

16560-481: The territory in 1958 and began organising opposition to the Federation. Having lived outside the territory for more than 25 years and having great difficulty remembering his native African language, he required the assistance of interpreters to communicate with the population, whom he stirred into a frenzy with his speeches. After the Governor and the Federal Government refused to give Africans a majority in

16704-476: The two governments continued to be cordial after it was revealed that Banda was secretly helping the ANC during the apartheid era. The Malawi government and South African government continued diplomatic relations. Banda's involvement in Mozambique dated back to Portuguese colonial days in Mozambique when Banda supported the Portuguese colonial government and guerrilla forces that worked for it. Following independence in Malawi, Banda strengthened his relationship with

16848-508: The violence get out of hand. Welensky did not rule out deploying federal troops if the situation deteriorated. Speaking to the defence chiefs in Salisbury, he said that "during the next three months we can expect some fairly serious trouble in Nyasaland ;... It is my concern to ensure that this government is in a position to exercise its responsibilities if trouble comes". A NAC meeting was held outside Blantyre on 25 January. It

16992-553: The wall, and no poster, clock or picture could be higher than his portrait. Before every film, a video of Banda waving to the people was shown while the anthem played. When Banda visited a city, a contingent of women were expected to greet him at the airport and dance for him. A special cloth, bearing the president's picture, was the required attire for these performances. Houses of worship required government approval to operate, and some faiths such as Jehovah's Witnesses were banned entirely. All films shown in cinemas were first viewed by

17136-427: The white Rhodesians by specifying franchise qualifications that few blacks had so far achieved - though they were not prevented from acquiring them). After the British Government rejected this idea, he set about the creation of a federation, and, against his judgement, the small colony of Nyasaland was included. His main wish for amalgamation, and later federation, was primarily so the complementary economic strengths of

17280-400: The wishes of and aspirations of the people...During my term of office, I selflessly dedicated myself to the good cause of Mother Malawi in the fight against Poverty, Ignorance and Disease among many other issues; but if within the process, those who worked in my government or through false pretence in my name or indeed unknowingly by me, pain and suffering was caused to anybody in this country in

17424-502: Was a Dominion / Commonwealth realm . In 1966, the country became a republic and he became the first president as a result, ruling until his defeat in 1994. After receiving much of his education in ethnography, linguistics, history, and medicine overseas, Banda returned to Nyasaland to speak against colonialism and advocate independence from the United Kingdom . He was formally appointed Prime Minister of Nyasaland, and led

17568-403: Was a Northern Rhodesian politician and the second and last Prime Minister of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland . Born in Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia (now Harare , Zimbabwe ) to an Afrikaner mother and a Lithuanian Jewish father, he moved to Northern Rhodesia , became involved with the trade unions , and entered the colonial legislative council in 1938. There, he campaigned for

17712-477: Was achieved on 6 July 1964 under the name Malawi. The Federation was created under a British Act of Parliament of 1953 which made provision for a conference to be held at some time during the period 1960 to 1962 to review the Federal Constitution. The United Kingdom and Federal Government and the governments of the three constituent territories were to be represented, and any Federal Bill to amend

17856-492: Was alleged that the meeting discussed in detail a plan for the overthrow of the territorial government and the massacre of the territory's whites and any blacks who collaborated with them (although a subsequent Royal Commission found there was insufficient evidence to make such a claim). Welensky obtained the meeting's proceedings in early February and decided to act, calling a meeting of the federal and territorial governments. Federal troops were deployed to Nyasaland on 21 February,

18000-640: Was careful to appeal for calm and to condemn violence", but Welensky was averse to Banda's demands for black majority rule and believed that granting it to the territory would mean the end of the Federation. In Northern and Southern Rhodesia new constitutions were also enacted. The Southern Rhodesian constitution was very cautious and prolonged white rule. It had 50 A-roll seats with high voting qualifications (essentially for whites), and 15 B-roll seats with lower qualifications (for blacks). A system of 'cross voting' meant that results in A-roll seats would be affected by

18144-431: Was cited as co-respondent in the divorce of Mr French and accused of adultery with Mrs French. She followed Banda to West Africa, but he wanted nothing more to do with her. She died in 1976. Several influential Congress leaders, including Henry Chipembere , Kanyama Chiume , Dunduzu Chisiza and T.D.T. Banda (no relation) pleaded with him to return to Nyasaland to take up leadership of their cause. A delegation sent to

18288-462: Was comfortable with an African majority in Nyasaland and for the province to secede, seeking to preserve only a union of the two Rhodesias but, as a Northern Rhodesian, he did not accept black majority rule for the territory and a battle was had with the British Government over its new constitution throughout 1961–62. In discussions with Smith regarding the concept of Northern Rhodesia under African rule, Welensky stated: "I am not prepared to hand power to

18432-564: Was declared. On 3 March, Banda, along with hundreds of other Africans, was arrested in the course of " Operation Sunrise ". He was imprisoned in Gwelo (now Gweru ) in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe ), and leadership of the Malawi Congress Party (the Nyasaland African Congress under a new name) was temporarily assumed by Orton Chirwa , who was released from prison in August 1959. The mood in Britain, meanwhile, had long been moving towards decolonisation due to pressure from its colonies. Banda

18576-492: Was earned through his education. Around 1915–16, he left home on foot with Hanock Msokera Phiri, an uncle who had been a teacher at the nearby Livingstonia mission school, for Hartley, Southern Rhodesia (now Chegutu , Zimbabwe). He apparently wanted to enroll at the famous Scottish Presbyterian Lovedale Missionary Institute in South Africa but completed his Standard 8 education without studying there. In 1917, he left on foot for Johannesburg in South Africa. He worked at

18720-489: Was elected leader. Although a member of the Legislative Council, this was not a full-time job, and he continued working as a train driver for Rhodesia Railways, and also as a Trade Union leader. From the beginning, Welensky was involved in the creation of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland . He had earlier wanted an amalgamation of Northern and Southern Rhodesia with a constitution similar to that of Southern Rhodesia (that had effectively granted responsible government to

18864-538: Was forced to take sides in the Suez Crisis . The government of the United Kingdom received heavy international criticism for its actions, but Welensky's government, with those of Australia and New Zealand, nonetheless stood behind Britain. It was Welensky's first experience in international politics . In the aftermath of the Suez debacle, British colonial policy changed significantly, which would have adverse effects for

19008-551: Was frustrated with what he saw as the British government's "betrayal, duplicity, appeasement, cowardice and loss of nerve" when dealing with the African nationalists and the federation. Macmillan travelled on to South Africa, where he made his ' Wind of Change ' speech to the South African Parliament, raising the attention of South African Prime Minister Dr Hendrik Verwoerd . Welensky was informed that Banda would be released so that he could join in discussions with

19152-479: Was given a chance to re-enter the political arena. Clifford Dupont , Deputy Prime Minister, resigned his constituency in Charter to oppose Welensky. Welensky knew that if the RF won the by-elections it would appear as a mandate for unilateral independence; the campaign, for only two seats, was intense. At public meetings, Welensky was heckled by opponents to ironic cries of 'Communist', 'traitor' and 'coward'. Sharing

19296-429: Was held on 14 June 1993, resulting in an overwhelming vote (64 percent) in favour of multiparty democracy. After this, political parties besides the MCP were formed and preparation for the general elections began. Banda worked with the newly forming parties and the church, and made no protest when a special assembly stripped him of his title of President for Life, along with most of his powers. The transition from one of

19440-476: Was issued on 4 January 1996 in the name of H. Kamuzu Banda to the people of his nation shortly after being acquitted in the Mwanza Trials. The statement was met with controversy, suspicion and disdain. It was also questioned whether Banda wrote the statement himself or if someone wrote it on his behalf. In it, he noted that: Systems of government are dynamic and they are bound to change in accordance with

19584-437: Was just as opposed, but on different grounds. All nationalists wanted an end to federation, and independence for the territories as black-majority-ruled states. Welensky was opposed to any talk of secession, and the Monckton Report suggested it in writing when it stated that the territories should have the option after five years under a new federal constitution. Early 1960 saw British prime minister Harold Macmillan journey to

19728-717: Was of Lithuanian Jewish origin , hailing from a village near Wilno (today Vilnius); a trader in Russia and horse-smuggler during the Franco-Prussian War , he settled in Southern Rhodesia after first emigrating to the United States , where he was a saloon-keeper, and then South Africa. His mother, Leah (born Aletta Ferreira; c . 1865–1918), was a ninth-generation Afrikaner of Dutch and Portuguese ancestry. His parents, for whom Raphael or "Roy"

19872-523: Was one of the few African leaders to support the United States in the Vietnam War , a position he adopted in part due to his hatred of communism. While many southern African nations traded with apartheid -era South Africa out of economic necessity, Malawi was the only African nation that recognised South Africa and established diplomatic relations with it, including a trade treaty which angered other African leaders. They threatened to expel Malawi from

20016-498: Was released from prison in April 1960 and was almost immediately invited to London for talks aimed at bringing about independence. Elections were held in August 1961. While Banda was technically nominated as Minister of Land, Natural Resources and Local Government, he became de facto Prime Minister of Nyasaland – a title granted to him formally on 1 February 1963. He and his fellow MCP ministers quickly expanded secondary education, reformed

20160-505: Was replaced with Kamuzu, which means "little root". The name Kamuzu was given to him because he was conceived after his mother had been given root herbs by a medicine man to cure infertility. He took the Christian name of Hastings after being baptised into the Church of Scotland by Dr George Prentice , a Scot, in 1910, naming himself after John Hastings, a Scottish missionary working near his village whom he admired. The prefix "doctor"

20304-408: Was supporting black nationalists and communists in the Federation. He argued that "the security of Southern Africa from Communism requires that Katanga be recognised de facto by as many countries as possible. Such recognition would strengthen Tshombe's hand enormously." The Federation provided a key outlet for Tshombe to acquire mercenaries, smuggle weapons and sell Katanga's minerals for cash. When

20448-404: Was the only "realistic answer to the powerful and irresistible urge of the indigenous people for freedom and equality". Accepting the end of the Federation, Welensky set about ensuring that the assets of the federal government were transferred to Southern Rhodesia, making this a condition of him attending dissolution talks at Victoria Falls. Welensky refused to dine with the British delegates, on

20592-430: Was the thirteenth child, kept a "poor white" boarding house. Welensky's mother died when he was eleven years old, being treated by Godfrey Huggins , a doctor who went on to become the prime minister of Southern Rhodesia. Although not of British ancestry, Welensky was intensely pro-British, a distinctive sentiment among Rhodesians. John Connell, in his foreword to Welensky's book 4000 Days , wrote: "Welensky, who had not

20736-579: Was trying to keep Malawian interests in the Port of Nacala in Mozambique and did not want to rely on Tanzania and South Africa ports for its imports and exports due to the expense. Mozambique and Malawi came to an agreement to place troops from both countries in Nayuchi near the port. Incidents of Malawi Army members being killed over the course of four years angered the Army because MYP members were involved with

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