Born: 8 September 1928, Malawi
Died: 12 January 2016
Country most active: Malawi
Also known as: Rose Lomathinda
Rose Lomathinda Chibambo was a prominent political figure in the British Protectorate of Nyasaland, later Malawi, in the prelude to its independence in 1964 and the subsequent years.
Born in Kafukule, Mzimba District, she married Edwin Chibambo in 1947 and became a crucial voice in the Nyasaland African Congress (NAC). Rose, inspired by the struggle against the colonial government’s federation plan, actively engaged women in political activism. Arrested in 1959, she exemplified resilience by taking her newborn to jail. During Dr. Hastings Banda’s leadership, she founded the League of Malawi Women and played a pivotal role in the Congress. Post-independence, she became the first woman minister in Malawi’s cabinet.
However, discord with Banda led to her exile for thirty years. She returned in 1994, contributing significantly to business, politics, and humanitarian efforts. Rose Chibambo’s legacy endures, evident in the Malawi Kwacha banknote featuring her image. She passed away on January 12, 2016, leaving an indelible mark on Malawi’s political history.