Aleke Banda

Aleke Kadonaphani Banda (1939 – 9 April 2010) was a Malawian politician who served as a Member of Parliament, as Minister of Finance, and as Minister of Agriculture in Malawi. He was also co-founder of 'the Nation Publications Limited'. Banda's life in politics (1953–2008) was devoted intensely to his country as it gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1964, as it established the political and economic structures of an independent state under Hastings Kamuzu Banda and as it created the framework of a multiparty democracy under Bakili Muluzi. Banda died from leukemia on 9 April 2010.

Early life Aleke Banda was born in Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) and educated in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe).

He is believed to be the first cousin of Zambian politician and former President Rupiah Banda.

Career He was the chairman of The Nation Publications Limited, Malawi's influential private media house that publishes the newspapers The Nation, Weekend Nation, Nation on Sunday and FUKO. He invited controversial journalist Ken Lipenga to be a founder and editor in chief of the newspaper, The Nation. He was imprisoned under the Banda regime for no charge and this was contested by despite being a co founder of the Malawi Congress Party together with Orton ChirwaAmnesty International. In communication no. 63/92 Krishna Achuthan appealed to the commission on behalf of his father-in-law, Aleke Banda. He was also Minister of Health. He was also President of the People's Progressive Movement.