Joyce Banda
Joyce Hilda Banda (née Ntila; born 12 April 1950) is a Malawian politician, who served as President of Malawi, from 7 April 2012 to 31 May 2014. Banda took office as President following the sudden death of President Bingu wa Mutharika. She is the founder and leader of the People's Party, created in 2011. An educator and grassroots women's rights activist, she was the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2006 to 2009 and the Vice-President of Malawi from May 2009 to April 2012. She has served in various roles as a member of Parliament and as Minister of Gender and Child Welfare before she became the President of the Republic of Malawi.
Joyce Banda | |
|---|---|
Banda in 2013 | |
| 4th President of Malawi | |
| In office 7 April 2012 – 31 May 2014 | |
| Vice President | Khumbo Kachali |
| Preceded by | Bingu wa Mutharika |
| Succeeded by | Peter Mutharika |
| Vice President of Malawi | |
| In office 29 May 2009 – 7 April 2012 | |
| President | Bingu wa Mutharika |
| Preceded by | Cassim Chilumpha |
| Succeeded by | Khumbo Kachali |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 1 June 2006 – 29 May 2009 | |
| President | Bingu wa Mutharika |
| Preceded by | George Chaponda |
| Succeeded by | Etta Banda |
| Minister of Gender, Child Welfare, and Community Service | |
| In office 2004–2006 | |
| President | Bingu wa Mutharika |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Joyce Hilda Ntila 12 April 1950 Malemia, Nyasaland (now Malawi) |
| Political party | United Democratic Front (Before 2004) Democratic Progressive Party (2004–2010) People's Party (2011–present) |
| Spouse(s) | Roy Kachale (Before 1981) Richard Banda |
| Children | 5 |
| Alma mater | Columbus University Atlantic International University Royal Roads University |
Prior to her political career, she founded the Joyce Banda Foundation, the National Association of Business Women (NABW), Young Women Leaders Network and the Hunger project.
Banda was Malawi's fourth president its first female president and second female head of state, after Elizabeth II. She was the second woman to become the president in the African continent, after Liberia's Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. She was also the country's first female vice-president. In June 2014, Forbes named President Banda as the 40th most powerful woman in the world and the most powerful woman in Africa. In October 2014, she was included in the BBC's 100 Women.