John Msonthi

John Dustan Msonthi was a Malawian politician. He served as a Cabinet Minister and translator during the government of Kamuzu Banda.

Life

Msonthi was a Roman Catholic son of an Anglican clergyman, Reverend Canon Msonthi. He went to Zomba Catholic Secondary School and he was one of the first two students to gain a Catholic Overseas Certificate. He was able to attend St. Xavier's College, Kolkata in India with the support of the Catholic Church. However when he returned the church could not cope with an African graduate and at one point special housing had to be built to avoid "a crisis".

He left the church because he did not see the Anglican church as consistent with his politics. His brother, Boniface Msonthi, was an activist in the National African Congress, and a government Minister in the 1960s and 1970s. Kamuzu's message was relayed by his interpreter, John Msonthi. From 1958 until the 1970s he deciphered English into Chichewa using expressions, proverbs and metaphors that mesmerized Malawians. These messages were vital in the Malawian fight for Independence. Msonthi withdrew his resignation a few hours later.

While he was Minister, a bill was passed that established the powers of the Censorship Board. It allowed the board to dispose of undesirable publications without challenge. It was claimed that its passage would allow Malawi standards and interests of morality, decency and public order to prevail in entertainment and publications. It was opposed by Michael Blackwood, a spokesman for European settler interests. Msonthi noted that, "It is our duty, as a government, to make sure that people who take any films in this country for show or their private use, do so in accordance with the decency and morality of this country. We must make sure that what they photograph is the right thing." The bill was passed with three readings and within three days. The Censorship Board was run by Tobias Banda.

Death Msonthi was later killed.