In 1963 he became prime minister of Nyasaland, now Malawi. Later Malawi experienced economic problems as a result of the iron fist rule, mismanagement and drought. In 1993 there was a threat to cut down humanitarian aid and this led to Malawi's voters showing their support for democratisation. In 1994 because of ill health Banda lost control of the country to Bakili Muluzi. He died in South Africa on November 25, 1997.