Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Banda had a bizarre range of habits. He was fond of wearing jaunty gangster-style hats
and carrying an African fly-whisk; and at public appearances he was often accompanied
by a group of women who danced and chanted words of praise, clad in customised outfits
with his face printed all over them.
With the end of the Cold War in the 1990s, things began to get dicey for Banda. South
Africa and the West no longer needed to support him, and inside the country opposition
was swelling. In 1992 the Catholic bishops of Malawi condemned the regime and called
for change, and demonstrations, both peaceful and violent, added their weight to the bish-
ops' move. As a final blow, donor countries restricted aid until Banda agreed to relinquish
total control.
In June 1993 a referendum was held for the people to choose between a multiparty
political system and Banda's autocratic rule. Over 80% of eligible voters took part; those
voting for a new system won easily, and Banda accepted the result.
The 1990s: Fresh Hope
At Malawi's first full multiparty election in May 1994, the victor was the United Demo-
cratic Front (UDF), led by Bakili Muluzi. On becoming president, Muluzi moved quickly
- political prisons were closed, freedom of speech and print was permitted, and free
primary school education was to be provided. The unofficial night curfew that had existed
during Banda's time was lifted. For travellers, the most tangible change was the repeal of
that notorious dress code.
The Muluzi Government also made several economic reforms with the help of the
World Bank and the IMF; these included the withdrawal of state subsidies and the liberal-
isation of foreign-exchange laws.
In April 1995 former president Banda was brought to trial, accused of ordering the
murder of three government ministers who died in a mysterious car accident in 1983. He
was acquitted and the result was greeted with general approval, especially when Banda
went on to apologise publicly for any harm caused unwittingly or intentionally by mem-
bers of his government. As the population warmed once more to Banda, it became clear
that the UDF's honeymoon period was well and truly over.
By 1996 the economic reforms were hitting the average Malawian citizen very hard.
Food prices and unemployment soared. There were reports of increased malnutrition, and
crime, particularly robbery, increased in urban areas. Matters were made worse by a slow
resumption of international aid, after it had been frozen in the final years of Banda's rule.
In November 1997 Dr Banda finally died. His age was unknown, but he was certainly
over 90.
