Page "Hastings Banda" Paragraph 21

Malawi adopted a new constitution on 6 July 1966, in which the country was declared a republic.

Banda was elected the country's first president for a five-year term ; he was the only candidate.

The new document granted Banda wide executive and legislative powers, and also formally made the MCP the only legal party.

However, the country had already been a de facto one-party state since independence.

In 1970, a congress of the MCP declared Banda its president for life.

In 1971, the legislature declared Banda President for Life of Malawi as well.

His official title was His Excellency the Life President of the Republic of Malaŵi, Ngwazi Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda.

The title Ngwazi means " chief of chiefs " ( more literally, " great lion ", or, some would say, " conqueror ") in Chicheŵa.