Kamuzu Day is a public holiday in Malawi, observed on May 14. If May 14 falls on a weekend, the following Monday is automatically a public holiday.
This day commemorates Malawi’s first president, Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda.
DR. HASTINGS KAMUZU BANDA
Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda was born in Kasungu in Malawi (by then British Central Africa). His date of birth is unknown, as it took place when there was no birth registration. Even though it was assumed he was born in March or April 1898, his official birthday was observed on May 14 up to date.
After receiving much of his education overseas, Banda returned home (by then Nyasaland, under the British) to speak against colonialism and advocate independence.
Banda was formally appointed as prime minister of Nyasaland in 1963 and led the country to independence on July 6 1964. He chose the name Malawi for the fledgeling nation, after the Maravi, an old name of the Nyanja people that inhabit the area.
Two years later he proclaimed Malawi a republic with himself as its first president. Under a new constitution, he consolidated power, making Malawi a one-party state under the Malawi Congress Party (MCP). In 1971, he made himself the Life President of Malawi.
Banda ruled Malawi after the collapse of the Soviet Union. His vehement anti-communist stance had led to support from western countries. Those countries would only continue to give aid to Malawi if he implemented a series of reforms. In 1993, mounting pressure from within and from the international community forced Banda to hold a referendum on whether to maintain the one-party state or make Malawi a democratic and multi party state.
The referendum resulted in 64% in favour of multiparty democracy. Banda participated in the first democratic presidential election in 1994 and was defeated by Bakil Muluzi.
After losing power, his health was not the same and later Banda died in South Africa on November 25, 1997 at the aged of 98.
This public holiday has been commemorated across Malawi for 30 years. It was banned when the country attained multiparty democracy in 1993.
It was reinstated by late President Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika in 2009.