Baroness Afshar hails Joyce Banda as ‘formidable woman’

British professor Baroness Haleh Afshar has hailed Malawi’s former president and founder of Joyce Banda Foundation International, Joyce Banda as  a woman with extremely impressive track record.

Banda delivering her lecture at London School of Economic and Political Science
Banda delivering her lecture at London School of Economic and Political Science
London School of Economics auditorium fully packed when Banda delivered her lecture
London School of Economics auditorium fully packed when Banda delivered her lecture

Baroness Afshare, Professor Emeritus at the University of York who serves as a crossbench peer in the House of Lords, hailed Banda for her achievements when the former president delivered a lecture at London School of Economics and Political Science.

She described Banda as “a formidable woman” with a moving story to tell.

“She is a kind of a woman that many women are not,” said Baroness Afshar who was the lecture chair, adding that Banda has fought against nepotism, corruption, and running charities “ despite threats and difficulties. She is really a formidable woman.”

Professor Craig Calhoun, Director of London School of Economics said Banda has a “very good track record”.

Banda, said the university’s director, is an “inspirational woman of courage, vision and commitment in advancing the cause of women.”

In her public lecture titled: “Investigating women’s journey into public life: Above the Parapet,” Banda said her mission in life is to empower women and youth through business and education.

“I am a self made leader” said Banda who pointed out that she is privileged to have lived most of the challenges women face.

“I have moved from where I was not sure where my next meal would come from.  On this journey, I have believed that leadership is about falling in love with the people you serve and the people falling in love with you. I truly believe in servant leadership,” she said.

Banda said the grain of leadership in men or women alike will need nurturing to come to full maturity.

“On my journey as a Malawian woman who is deeply conscious of the history and struggles of Malawian women and girls; as an African woman who knows the challenges of African women and girls; as a global human rights activist who has championed for the plight of marginalized women and girls and the advancement of women; and as a former Head of State who has campaigned for the Malawian people, the African people and those of the World, I have come to believe that the participation of women in leadership has to be a common agenda for both men and women,” said Banda, the only female president to have governed Malawi.

She said the question of whether a leader is born or made is an ongoing debate.

“What is important is the need to nurture, support and mentor those that are spotted with leadership instinct even though they may be marginalised. And this includes women most of whom are indeed marginalised,” she said.

In her lecture, Banda  also highlighted the role her charitable organisation  Joyce Banda Foundation International is playing in Malawi and recent  launched  Joyce Banda Foundation International Africa Initiative (JBFI Africa) at the United Nations General Assembly Building in New York United States.

“Today the Joyce Banda Foundation International is sending 1,300 students to tertiary education, 3,500 students to secondary school every year and 500,000 business women benefit through business loans, seed capital, training in entrepreneurial skills and linkages to markets,” said Banda to a fully packed auditorium at the England’s top university attracting hand clapping from the audience.

She said the Joyce Banda Foundation International also has a network of 850,000 youths who are taught life skills including health, sports and leadership.

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Mbowe Mulambia
9 years ago

Some people are foolish insulting JB is just as insulting your mother who brought you in this world actualy she is even more greater than your stupid mum who gave birth to a stupid son who can stand and start insulting women.

clifford kapyepye
9 years ago

Ife azungu kuno ku mangalande we appreciate your greatest job u did keen on good luck.

Chikutumbwe
Chikutumbwe
9 years ago

Malawians are good at praising the dead. Joice Banda is no longer President, and never shall she rule this country again. Why didnt you vote for her on May 20 if really she was a good leader? Za ziii!!

jo
jo
9 years ago

She is a loser at all we don’t want awomen president in our place

Nakamaghitt
Nakamaghitt
9 years ago

Colleagues, let us agree here that if Joyce Banda had a tail between her legs she would be the best leadrr Malawi has ever had! She is a victim of patriarchy, male chauvinism and PHD syndrome from her fellow women! As somebody who has done done nothing significant to support her I happily declare a paradigm shift in my thinking about JNB! If this woman can reorganize her party and campaign ousing new strategies she could bounce back in 2019! If the likes of Seodi and others could stop belittling JNB and champion a woman-based campaign on behalf of JNB… Read more »

weni weni
weni weni
9 years ago

she hasn’t spoken of any politics in her public lecture. so what are some of you posting here?? a malawi osamatichitisa manyazi enafe…

victim Chamkhuni Lwazazi
victim Chamkhuni Lwazazi
9 years ago

I am yet to see nepotism, tribalism and regionalism in her leadership. God bless Malawi.

Hardwick Kametah
9 years ago

Many of malawians r cryng for u mama!may the gd Lord bless u.

Ambuje ku lilongwe
Ambuje ku lilongwe
9 years ago

Koma simunati amayi kuyenda kufunafuna ndalama za kampeni ya 2019. Koma ndiye mukuzungulira kwinaku akunamiza azungu kuti cisankho cinaberedwa. Kodi munthu angakubere iwe ulipomwepo ukuwona? Boma had all the machinery to scrutinize everything furing that time. Tangomvomerezani kuti mulalephera.
Miyezi 5 sopano akulamula APM ndiye muziti ai si president zowona zimenezo?
Nabolani musazagwe mutalephera 2019 cifukwa APM azakokolora mavoti ambiritu.
Ocakwera pangani zinthu zoti tizalowe m’boma.

Kk
Kk
9 years ago

What Malawians need the Europeans don’t know, what Europeans want it’s not what malawians want. Atha kukhala ndi mulalo kunjako koma na anthu oponya mavoti samafuna public Lecturer all they need is kukhuta msima ndikukagona. It is good therefore to know your people better than knowing other people’s people, i mean people who don’t matter in your life. Are you trying to tell me kuti anzungu a ku mangalande 2019 azabwela azavote nawo kuno. Think Mama. The best you can do as far as 2019 General elections is concerned is for you to come back and do your campaign pansipansi.… Read more »

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