This study offers a discussion on the inherent qualities and external influences, experiences and factors that made Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda, the first president of Malawi, the man he was; and examines what events, factors and influences impacted on his behaviour as a politician, and as the 'father and founder' of the state of Malawi. An effort is also made to explain why he was rejected by most of his 'people' in the end. An examination of the considerable political, economic, religious moral, intellectual, social and other legacies which Dr Banda bequeathed to Malawi is also provided.