Allegedly, he was so out of practice in his native Chichewa that he needed an interpreter, a role which was apparently performed by John Msonthi and later by John Tembo, who remained close to him for most of his career)
Zikuoneka kuti anali atachoka m’Chichewa chakwawo moti ankafunika womasulira, ntchito imene John Msonthi ankaigwira kenako ndi John Tembo, yemwe nthawi zambiri ankakhala naye pafupi)