Women are ‘servant leaders’, says Joyce Banda: Malawi ex- leader speaks at WIP summit
Malawi’s former President, Joyce Banda says she believes that leaders must be servants of the people because power is with the people and that power is based on the trust vested upon the leader by the people.
“There are two types of leaders—servant leader and authoritarian leader. These two types of leaders look at power differently. The servant leader is inspired and motivated by the people they serve because they realize that power is with the people.
“The authoritarian leader uses authority to exert power upon the people. Whether the people consent to that pressure or not, it does not matter much as long as his or her ambitions and desires are met. It is a well-known fact that this type of leadership is not sustainable. Anybody who ignores the wind of change is doing so at their own peril,” she said.
Banda was presenting a keynote address at this year’s Women in Parliaments (WIP) at the African Union (AU) Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopiaon Tuesday, March 24. Her Keynote Address centred on the theme ‘End of Power? Re-defining Leadership’.
‘New Leadership for Global Challenges’ is the theme of the WIP Summit 2015, co-hosted by the African Union and co-financed by the European Commission.
It focuses on new leadership for change; on the need for variety of different leaders, men and women, that are willing to work together, and share insights and innovations on how best to deal with the global challenges of today and navigate the future.
Said Banda: “On my journey of public life, I have seen that most women leaders are servant leaders. They assume leadership to serve people first and not seek to be served first. Women by nature are born leaders as in most cases they seek to serve starting from the home through all levels—in communities, private sector, Parliament, cabinet and even at Presidential level. Their services are transformational”.
She thanked the African Union, the European Union and Women in Parliament for hosting the forum “at this critical moment in our history”.
“This summit is taking place at a time when the African Union and her people are working towards vision 2063 where we seek to realise a peaceful, integrated and prosperous continent. Furthermore, the African Union has declared this year as a ‘year of women”.
“As we take stock of Beijing Platform for Action this year, it is my hope that our discussions will take cognisance that we have not achieved Millennium Development Goals 3 that promotes gender equality and empower women and 5 which improves maternal health.
She said it was therefore important that the outcomes of the Summit influence and feed into the Post 2015 and the Post Beijing +20 processes.
Former President Banda said Beijing was the beginning of shifting of power from traditional patriarchal hands to a new generation of leaders. She said power in the hands of women meant power in the hands of the masses; meant better life for everybody, better human rights and better governance.
She noted that the participation of women and women leadership is becoming critical as women constitute more than half of the world’s population.
However, Banda noted that despite the growing number of women into leadership roles in different disciplines, most leadership positions are still occupied and therefore defined by men.
“As a woman leader, 20 years after Beijing, I have learnt that from the beginning we should have engaged men at discussion level. The challenge is that since men were not initially engaged at the beginning, it has been difficult to secure their support in implementing the Beijing Platform for Action in advancing women’s leadership and in closing the gender gap.
“My experience in following women leaders who have made it to Parliament, to Cabinet and even to State House has revealed that most of them have characteristics of a servant leader. They emerged from the women’s movement,” said Malawi’s first female Head of State.
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I am beginning to like former President Joyce Banda.
Im so peplexed with my dpp. Instead of focusing on delivering the promises we made during the campaign period, we seem to be focusing much on Oyce Banda. In so doing we are giving her free publicity. Inu achina ben phiri, chisale, mukhito even bwana APm cant we for once take the former president out of picture? Best way to move forward is not to make JB as our subject matter, we will derail. We shall one day wake up suprised and confused.
She is strunded there why running away her home Muluzi did not run after stepping down his power but problem is with Joyce Banda could not understand and she cannot forgive her enermies why are you not born again shame mama accept your failure and failing to attend what has happened in malawi floods kkkkkk you dont like people of malawi bola akupase GreenCard kumeneko
For ever on the move while President and now still on the move. ‘A rolling stone gathers no moss’ as the proverb goes. JB loves to move around the world promoting women leaders, but what is she doing for Malawi? Absolutely NOTHING, ZILCH, NADA, ZERO! She is just a big noise but producing nothing by way of good works that benefit her homeland. Another proverb: ‘Empty vessels make the most noise’. She should be back in Malawi championing democracy, freedom of speech, development, the rights of women, education for girls, etc. etc.
Why is dpp and its agents so obsessed with the return of JB to malawi? You have a country to run just focus on that. If you really think Joyce Banda will waste her time with petty politicking them think again. She has lots pf things to do. She can decide to stay away the way she wants. There is nothing wrong with that after all she is not using government resources. So leave JB alone she is enjoying what she is doing after leaving the state house. Viva JB Viva.
Below are the advantages of having women leaders in decision making positions are: Viva JB Viva.
a. They appoint fellow women into leadership positions.
b. They are risk takers in their desire to solve problems.
c. They pay attention to development and social protection programmes to ensure inclusivity of policy programs, and
d. Studies have shown that women leaders feel the urgency of doing something about situations.
• They bring a human face into policies and programs where issues of women and children are concerned.
• Women leaders have an inclusive, team building leadership style in solving problems and in decision making.
• Women are peace builders.
• Women leaders put people’s interest first
First and foremost JB is very right by not engaging men during and after the Beijing conference 20 years ago a gap was created as most most men felt left out. JB is also right most women leaders are servant leaders. She is the living example. In the two years she was at statd house JB never for single day did she stop working for betterment of poor malawians. She introduced various intervention programmes aimed at lifting the poor from poverty. She introduced the pararell subsidy programme which enabled poor farmers more access to farm inputs. She also pumped in lots of funds in safemotherhood in order to help expectant women. As if that is not enough she made sure that tobacco farmers offered better prices to farmers. That is a servant leader. Bravo JB.
Tabwelani mai milandu ya cashgate kuno ikudikila. Ozilemeletsa okha kuzunzisa anthu owasankha lero kuno mawa uko. Zero tolerance zili kuno.
Bravo. Jb did it again day in day out enawo akulira
Chefourpence, if you don’t have anything to comment you better find something good to do. Pali chotukwanira apa? Are you a christian, muslim or a pegan?
She indeed was right when she said power is with the people, those who don’t do the will of the people do so at their own peril. Exactly what happened to her!
The people said you are travelling to much, you didn’t listen: so the people made you travel out completely.
The people said tell us who stole our money and why since you said you know them, you later backtracked: so the people said we stood by what you said earlier and since you don’t want to tell us go and some one will.
The people said where is the jet’s proceeds, you gave the people answers even a baby could see through the lies: so the people said enough let her go.
The people said, where did the rotten maize go: you never explained but continued to distribute the same rotten maize: the people had the last say.
The people said how has the first hubby all of a sudden managed to acquire estates and yourself built various houses. again no real answer: so the same people said let her go yonder because although she shrieks mphamvu ku anthu she doesn’t mean it.
So the meeting has once again been sold a dummy by the cashgate crafter.
Keynote address! What the fuck is a keynote address?
Kodi azungu amenewa, JB amawanamiza chani? This is an insult. Malawi should complain to the Hegue now coz the UN system is blinded by feminism. Just because JB was second female President in Africa, basi ikhale nkhani?
Servant leadership must not be confused with ‘domestic workers’ mentality. Servant leadership is others centered not me centered. It is poor people centered not statehouse centered. Servant leaders come into office to contribute not to get. Servant leaders are not parasites who are state house to suffocate, choke our economy. Servant leadership is not defined by clothes or convoy cars or golden wheelbollows/shovels. Unforfortunately, you don’t leant such leadership at Chanco or Poly. No wonder we have too many rottern individuals occupying important positions. Wanton thieves who have no conscience that one they will stand before God to face judgement.
AMAI TIMAKUKONDANI YOU OUR FLAG CARRIER
the person who wrote her the speech is the one to blame nt her. come to think of how ironic it is that she would stand on that podium and talk of failure that comes with stubbornness and one theft of poor people’s money.
Hahahahahahah! servants leaders? that’s why they steal money because a master can not steal his own money but a servant can steal things from his master. Please we want master leaders and not servant leaders.
koma mayi JB chipani chanu chinali cha anthu otumbwa okhaokha.azibusa, atumbuka ndi azimayi odziwa kulanda azimuna amzawo bwanji?
sialiyense wophuzira angaku thandizeni
Amaiiii anatipangitsa ife kuthawira kuno ku joburg and i don’t want to hear anything from her again better peter to continue
Come home ana a muchipani mwako akuchakachika bwanji osawapasa mpamba ayambilepo.Khalani ndi chifundo mayi.
Leadership has nothing to do with leadership. Malawi is not where it supposed to be because of lack of servant leadership not lack of educated people. Most educated people lack leadership skills. That’s why we have people with terrible leadership skills like the Muntharika brothers ‘managing’ malawi. Management is not leadership! JB was better leader for Malawi
Kuyesetsa kugula dzina amayi, koma chilanda amuna ameneyi watikwana bwanji. Men snatcher
Of what use is attending numerous summits abroad when u are hiding from ur country,where are u implementing wat ever u r learning there. Azungu musataye naye nthawi ameneyo pliz achina kaliati aliko kuno azizapanga zimenezo. Anathawa kuno ameneyo asamakunamizeni ndipo ndikumudikila tizayankhe cashgate limodzi iya!
Dr Joyce Bnada continue what you are doing,we are all proud of you
Thats totally long because aliyense amakokera mbali yake
thats my mum doing wat a leader is supposed to
Ndi zoona kuti bambo anatsala kuno? Mayi musaume mtima asamaleni bambo
JB yemweyo kuti wawawa waaaaaaa
Have you heard the news? The donor that you chased away are back! Zamunyasa akakolope Lake Malawi kapena asafuna asiye
an empty vessel makes a lot of noise
WE LOVE YOU & WE MISS YOU MAMA!
Nobody is perfect on this planet,we don’t have to expect roses in African leaders what matters is the degree of mistakes made at that particular moment of he or she being in power.The major problem of our leaders is the people who surround him or her they tell lies in order to maintain positions.Perhaps she given second chance with new administration she can deliver Not the Phoya and all other Mafias.See my name.
Comment ; Osangobwerako bwanji? Ali ku South Africa akukamuona Chamthunya wina uja ndi uyu mkulu wake Andekuche. Boma longokhalira kuyendayenda ine sindidalione . Kaya osapotatu zisapotani
Jb ndi mubanga, katakwe.
“End of Power: Re-defining Leadsrship” this was great speech. JB has throughout her life championed the cause of women by supporting and empowering them. Callista mutharika rose thru thd ranks courtesy of JB. Getrude Mutharika was inspired by JB wen she became dpp’s mp for balaka north. So well done our peesident
DPP thieves …..wait until Allan My Boy Exposes you all!…..Your crooked days are numbered….no wonder IMF only gave you 18 million….compare that against 157 million and solve….Dogs like you get crumbs!
You thought this Gaylord will assist you?….arrogant bastard…abusive Lhomwe
Joyce Banda must never be understimated. Her network around the global really scares me. Ok she is out of state house but she has been able to manage life after state house exceptionally well. Bravo JB.
JB….On Top of her Game!….musanza nkhwiko ndithu
First of all i must admit i was paid by dpp to tarnish JB’s image. I therefore ask for forgiveness from the former president. She is woman of substance. I really miss this woman honestly. Currently malawi is on auto pilot mode. Our president is sleeping too much. Wake up president mutharika. Ndatha ine wanu golden.
Mayi opanda nzeru, bwera kumudzi uzayakhe mlandu, mbava iwe, wa form 4
JB is very special woman. I like how you have moved on afta state house. You are a wonderful human being. Keep it up that way.
The only President that would take Malawi into greater heights was JB. Malawians you lost someone who was going to help you
You can’t compare JB with Peter, the woman is waaaaay above this APM guy. Ndipo mudwala naye mimba zimayi uyu simunati
The truth is that Malawians have lost trust in DPP leadership. Useless. bravo mama
The truth is JB is very influential that’s why you are scared of this woman you DPP lunatics. Leave the woman alone
Koma JB the way she dresses zimandidwalisa malaria ndi migraine headache.
I don’t like the DPP leadership and neither do I see any tangible alternative in Joyce Banda. Peter Mutharika and Joyce Banda are just like Siamese twins equally sharing sharing the same brain substance and socialised through the same set up.
Azake azimaiwo ndiwophunzila. Anena chiyani cha mzelu bulutu ngati uyu. Leadership alibe. Akuklu akulu look at the leaders of the world. Their education profile is very impressive. What do you see in JB.? Kulanda amuna aweniake basi.
Who is jb and leaders are there to enrich themself or utavotera ndani wakoyo will never change.
Amaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii we miss you. People are dying here. No medicines in hospitals. Flood victims are still suffering
JB I adore you. You are never moved. bravo mama
Kulephera utsogoleri kwa bambo Peter kupangitsa amayi Joyce kukhala abwino. Koma amalawi anzanga mukudziwa choonadi?
Honestly speaking the world out their appreciates JB she is an icon. Palibenso
Hey JB…., we need you home, come back home please.
Good speaker, bad doer. That’s what JB is. She failed to impress Malawians to vote for women. Lero ma female MPs ndiochepa bcoz of her poor performance as state presdnt. Shame!
Still under panic with election loss.pepani,this is politics mai.u thot its phada.bwerani muzaone mizozodo ikulamula kuno.
Comment number 2 by agoloso is very stupid indeed.
You want somebody to die? in this case JB.
Very stupid person.
JB is a very intelligent and Wise Woman God Has given us on Earth.
I cherish the time we are having her around.
you said it and still saying it. you are the leader NOT the ruler I personally adore and admire you. I will leave you when back to your creator.
Amene mukukamba zabwino pano za JB ndi amenenso simunamuvotere. Malawi sazatheka. Chakwera wanga dikira boma ndi lako. Tikalowa muzatiwerengere zaka 30. Timangenso Malawi basi zinazi ahhh! Kumangonpeta ku cell yomanga Kamuzu?
JB its now you seem to realise and talk facts but the time you were ruling you lost votes due to you troting within and out of this country kumasiya civil service ikulira. Thats why you lost votes. Kusamva mai inu. Well I voted for an unknown and I made sure my so many relatives, workmates and friends dont vote for you. Siumatisamala.
Amene mukukamba zabwino pano za JB ndi amenenso simunamuvotere. Malawi sazatheka. Chakwera wanga dikira boma ndi lako. Tikalowa muzatiwerengere zaka 30. Timangenso Malawi basi zinazi ahhh! Kumangonpeta ku cell?
This is our own daughter Malawians were cheated to reject. God gave us chance to see her good works, but still we could not see. God have mercy on us.
muzikanenela kuno zimenezo mayi. come back home. one year is too much amwene
In Dr JB we trust, bravo mama
Abwereko the holiday is over pls
Comment…MALAWI IS NOT RECONISING YOU BUT THE WORLD DO, KEEP IT UP. WINA ALIRA. CHAKA CHAKE NDI CHINO.
JB, people here are still using your policies, floatation of the kwacha, which they opposed and promised to reverse when in power but up to now they have done nothing. IMF is happy with the policies you implimented and have given the govt some change amount to $18million
You really are an inspiration to me in terms of leadership skills and diplomacy. Keep it up!
nthawi yabwino yogawa chimanga cholembedwa jb ndi ino, pamene abale akuvutika ndi madzi. mtima wachifundo uja ulikuti? kulephera chisankho basi chifundo kutheratu? kodi chinali chabodza eti? zungulirani mukafako koyikidwa nkomkuno
Ine kuntimaku kuti myaaaah, Amai mukukwana.