Under colonial economic systems, many people from Malawi (then Nyasaland) without access to land or markets migrated to other areas, including South Africa, for contract labor.

These labor migrants were typically men who worked abroad for two years under contract with recruiters such as the Witwatersrand Native Labour Association (Wenela).

Led by the then named president for Life Hastings Banda, Malawi was the only African ruled country to maintain close relations with White-ruled South Africa until the 1994 election of Nelson Mandela.

[5] Following a state visit by the then South African Prime Minister John Vorster to Malawi the previous year in 1970, Banda was quoted to have said "We have to start talking to each other.

[5] Kenyan newspaper, the Daily Nation, thought his visit would "set into motion a train of diplomatic events that may well make nonsense of Africa's commitment to the liberation of the millions of black people who still live under colonial or racist subjugation."

The official explanation for these repatriations was that 200 Malawians had tested positive for HIV in the previous two years; however, many believe that it was due to the need for retrenchment of labourers during a crisis in South Africa's mining industry.

[3] The Malawian government made efforts to set straight its stance on South Africa by hosting ANC leader Nelson Mandela.

A visit which was made possible due to efforts by Malawian diplomats resident in South Africa, including acting Ambassador Percy Kachipande.