Malawi’s capital city, Lilongwe, is awash with anticipation. Malawi is about to have a new Head of State and Government. The Chief Justice, Redson Munro, will in less than one hour swear Vice-President Joyce Banda as the country’s President at the New Parliament Building in Lilongwe.

The function was scheduled to start at 2 pm, but their have been some delays including the the Chief justice’s Robe that was forgetten in Blantyre. However, Banda gets sworn in in less than one hour time. She will become Malawi’s first female president, and Africa’s second. The only other country with a female president is Liberia.

Malawi’s Vice-President Joyce Banda made a bid to take control of the country on Saturday, announcing the death of President Bingu wa Mutharika and calling a Cabinet meeting.

Malawi media reported that the Office of the President and Cabinet issued a statement officially confirming Mutharika’s death, declaring 10 days’ mourning and saying the constitution would be strictly complied with.