A WESTBURY businessman has been made guest of honour at a presidential party for his part in bringing democracy to Africa.

Bruce Evans, 62, of Lanhams Close, Westbury, has been a lifelong friend of Malawi president Bakili Muluzi, joining him on the campaign trail to become the country's first elected leader in the 1990s.

The two met when Mr Evans was a sales director in Malawi between 1976 and 1983 and President Muluzi was an aspiring politician opposing a brutal dictatorship.

On Wednesday Mr Evans and his wife Eunice flew to Malawi to be the president's guests before he steps down from power in May.

Mr Evans said: "During the dictatorship no-one was allowed to speak politics, you would politely avoid talking about it. But often our neighbours would just disappear and it wasn't a good idea to ask too many questions.

"Bakili Muluzi was always such an enveloping character with a big smile and booming voice, even before he became president.

"We still get Christmas cards from him and his wife every year and it is an honour to be asked back now."

Ten years ago Mr Evans travelled Malawi with the future president to canvas support, put up posters and help with security.

After success in 1994 he returned in 1999 to add his support.

Mr Evans said: "We would be in a jeep surrounded by thousands of supporters.

"Sometimes it was so exciting but at times very dangerous."

"I even had someone from the Malawi dictatorship spying on me all the time. It got to the stage when I just told him where I was going first so he could follow me easily.

"But it was all about friendship.

"I was supporting someone I considered to be my friend, even if I didn't always agree with all his policies.

"During the elections so many people I spoke to wanted change after such a long time under a dictatorship.

"I am so proud to be a part of that process, however small a part I played."

In the early 1990s Mr Evans, a father of two grown-up children, held meetings with Amnesty International and the British Government as it appeared his best friend was to become the first elected leader of Malawi.

President Muluzi took control in 1994 and won the elections again in 1999 but will step down on May 15 as the constitution only allows leaders to serve two terms.

During the three-week visit Mr Evans and his wife will tour the country they enjoyed when they lived and worked there.