# Hastings Banda

_First president of Malawi_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/hastings-banda
Last updated: 2026-11-04

> Hastings Kamuzu Banda was a Malawian politician who served as the leader of Malawi from 1964 to 1994. He served as Prime Minister from independence in 1964 to 1966, when Malawi was a Dominion/Commonwealth realm. In 1966, the country became a republic and he became the first president as a result, ruling until his defeat in 1994.

## Quick facts

- **Place of birth:** Kasungu ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q184945#P19))
- **Died:** 25 November 1997 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q184945#P570))
- **Place of death:** Johannesburg ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q184945#P20))
- **Citizenship:** Malawi ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q184945#P27))
- **Occupation:** politician; diplomat; physician ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q184945#P106))
- **Political party:** Malawi Congress Party ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q184945#P102))
- **Education:** University of Edinburgh; Central State University; University of Chicago; Meharry Medical College; Wilberforce University ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q184945#P69))
- **Positions held:** President of Malawi (6 July 1966 – 24 May 1994); Prime Minister of Malawi (6 July 1964 – 6 July 1966) ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q184945#P39))
- **Awards:** Order of the Lion ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q184945#P166))

## Questions

**What positions has Hastings Banda held?**  
Positions held by Hastings Banda include: President of Malawi (1966–1994); Prime Minister of Malawi (1964–1966).

**Where did Hastings Banda study?**  
Hastings Banda was educated at University of Edinburgh, Central State University, University of Chicago, Meharry Medical College.

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- [Aziz Akhannouch](https://diginpl.com/people/aziz-akhannouch)

## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Hastings Banda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hastings_Banda) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q184945](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q184945) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Dr HK Banda, first president of Malawi.jpg by National Archives of Malawi (CC BY-SA 4.0)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dr_HK_Banda,_first_president_of_Malawi.jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Hastings Banda, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Dr HK Banda, first president of Malawi.jpg — National Archives of Malawi, CC BY-SA 4.0.

## Cite this page

"Hastings Banda". DigiNepal. Last updated 4 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/hastings-banda. Retrieved 6 November 2026.