Hon. Joyce Banda, 54, comes from Malemia village in Zomba, southern Malawi. She is Member of Parliament for Zomba-Malosa constituency.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in early childhood education.
Hon. Banda established a number of organizations such as the National Association of Business Women (NABW), Hunger Project, Young Emerging Leaders Network and the Joyce Banda Foundation. Her mission in life is to help women and the youth to gain social and political empowerment through business and education.
She won a number of international awards, including the New York-based Africa Prize for Leadership in 1997. She won the award together with former Mozambican President, Joaquimo Chisano.
The Minister's Speech