"Most African women are taught to endure abusive marriages. They say endurance means a good wife but most women endure abusive relationship because they are not empowered economically, they depend on their husbands."

"I'm indeed a mandasi seller, and I'm proud of it, because the majority of women in Malawi are like us, mandasi sellers."

"It is important that women’s needs, aspirations and realities become central drivers of policies and programmes to increase maternal health care access and utilisation."

"women constitute the majority of our population in Africa. Therefore, when we talk about poverty, suffering and underdevelopment, we are talking mostly of women."

"I learned that leadership is about falling in love with the people and the people falling in love with you. It is about serving the people with selflessness, with sacrifice, and with the need to put the common good ahead of personal interests."

"We have depended on donor countries for scientific development for so long. It's time we commit more resources in our national budget to advance science and technology."

"We all must wake up because this is a time to arise from slumber and make our dream come true."

"I will not pursue trickle-down economics, but will implement bottom-up economics aimed at getting the poor out of poverty into prosperity."

"I am not gay, I have never been gay and will never be gay."

"Douglas Brown: Dr Banda, what is the purpose of your visit? Hastings Banda: Well, I've been asked by the Secretary of State to come here. Brown: Have you come here to ask the Secretary of State a firm date for Nyasaland's independence? Banda: I won't tell you that. Brown: When do you hope to get independence? Banda: I won't tell you that. Brown: Dr Banda, when you get independence, are you as determined as ever to break away from the Central African Federation? Banda: Need you ask me that question at this stage? Brown: Well, this stage is as good as any other stage. Why do you ask me why I shouldn't ask you this question at this stage? Banda: Haven't I said that enough for everybody to be convinced that I mean just that? Brown: Dr Banda, if you break with the Central African Federation, how will you make out economically? After all, your country isn't really a rich country. Banda: Don't ask me that, leave that to me. Brown: In which way is your mind working? Banda: Which way? I won't tell you that. Brown: Where do you hope to get economic aid from? Banda: I won't tell you that. Brown: Are you going to tell me anything? Banda: Nothing. Brown: Are you going to tell me why you've been to Portugal? Banda: That's my business. Brown: In fact you're going to tell me nothing at all. Banda: Nothing at all. Brown: So it's a singularly fruitless interview? Banda: Well, it's up to you. Brown: Thank you very much."

"Our talks were very pleasant, as usual. Remember I used to vote Labour when I was here."