Vera Tembo
| Vera Tembo | |
|---|---|
| |
| Office | 2nd First Lady of Zambia |
| Term start | 2 November 1991 |
| Term end | 25 September 2001 |
| Predecessor | Betty Kaunda |
| Successor | Maureen Mwanawasa |
| Nationality | Zambian |
| Political party | Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) |
| Residence | |
| Occupation | Politician, pastor |
Vera Tembo (born 25 July 1953), also known as Vera Tembo Chiluba, is a Zambian politician, former First Lady and pastor. She was Zambia’s First Lady from 1991 until her separation and subsequent divorce from President Frederick Chiluba in 2001[1]. In 2006 she won the Kasenengwa seat and served in Parliament and as Deputy Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources until 2011[2][3].
Early life and family
Tembo married Frederick Chiluba prior to his election as Zambia’s second President in 1991; the couple had nine children. Their marriage ended after a public separation in 2000 and a court-granted annulment on 25 September 2001[4].
First Lady of Zambia (1991–2001)
As First Lady, Tembo undertook charitable and community engagements during the MMD administration. Following the 2000 separation announcement she left State House; their divorce was finalized in 2001[5]. In 2002, amid post-divorce financial disputes, the Zambian government offered her assistance after reports she had listed possessions for auction[6].
Return to politics
Tembo entered elective politics in 2006, winning Kasenengwa Constituency for the MMD; she became the first woman to represent the seat[7]. President Levy Mwanawasa appointed her Deputy Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources in October 2006; she continued in the same portfolio under President Rupiah Banda until 2011[8][9]. In a notable conservation initiative, she officiated the reception of additional black rhinoceroses for North Luangwa National Park in May 2010, highlighting conservation and tourism benefits[10].
A parliamentary tribute in October 2011 by her successor in Kasenengwa, Victoria Kalima, acknowledged Tembo’s five years of service and constituency development efforts[11].
Pastoral ministry
In March 2015 Tembo announced she had been ordained a pastor and launched the Healing International Ministry[12][13].
Health
On 8 March 2025, media reported that Tembo had suffered a stroke and was hospitalised at Maina Soko Medical Centre in Lusaka; subsequent updates indicated she was recuperating[14].
See also
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References
- ↑ “Divorce for Zambia’s first couple,” BBC News, 25 September 2001, https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1562369.stm
- ↑ “Vera Explains Her Contesting Kasenengwa Seat,” AllAfrica (The Post/Zambia), 17 April 2006, https://allafrica.com/stories/200604170447.html
- ↑ “Zambia: Only Five Women Ministers in New Cabinet,” AllAfrica (SARDC), 13 October 2006, https://allafrica.com/stories/200610130003.html
- ↑ “Divorce for Zambia’s first couple,” BBC News, 25 September 2001, https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1562369.stm
- ↑ “Divorce for Zambia’s first couple,” BBC News, 25 September 2001, https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1562369.stm
- ↑ “Zambia ex first lady to get state aid,” BBC News, 3 May 2002, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1966564.stm
- ↑ “Vera Explains Her Contesting Kasenengwa Seat,” AllAfrica (The Post/Zambia), 17 April 2006, https://allafrica.com/stories/200604170447.html
- ↑ “Zambia: Only Five Women Ministers in New Cabinet,” AllAfrica (SARDC), 13 October 2006, https://allafrica.com/stories/200610130003.html
- ↑ “I Deserve the Appointment – Vera,” AllAfrica (Zambia Daily Mail), 10 October 2006, https://allafrica.com/stories/200610100444.html
- ↑ “Zambia: Govt Receives More Black Rhinos,” AllAfrica (African Conservation Foundation/ZANIS), 28 May 2010, https://allafrica.com/stories/201005280607.html
- ↑ “Debates – Tuesday, 25th October, 2011,” National Assembly of Zambia (Hansard), https://www.parliament.gov.zm/node/1283
- ↑ “Vera Chiluba becomes a Pastor and forms Healing International Ministry,” Lusaka Times, 3 March 2015, https://www.lusakatimes.com/2015/03/03/vera-chiluba-becomes-pastor-forms-healing-international-ministry/
- ↑ “Vera Chiluba takes a pastoral route,” Lusaka Voice, 2 March 2015, https://lusakavoice.com/2015/03/02/vera-chiluba-takes-a-pastoral-route/
- ↑ “Former First Lady, Vera Tembo, reportedly hospitalised after suffering stroke,” Zambia Monitor, 8 March 2025, https://www.zambiamonitor.com/former-first-lady-vera-chiluba-reportedly-hospitalised-after-suffering-stroke/
