Passion or Profession: President

Period: c. 1898–1997

Born near Kasungu, Banda pursued a career as a doctor in England and Ghana. After 40 years abroad, he returned to his homeland in 1958 to lead the struggle for Malawi's independence. When Britain granted independence to Malawi in 1964, Banda became its first prime minister, and he assumed the post of president when it became a republic in 1966. Banda led a strict one-party regime for nearly 30 years. After a 1993 referendum supported multiparty democracy, Banda lost the 1994 presidential election.