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{{Infobox First Lady
{{Infobox officeholder
| name       = Vera Tembo
| name           = Vera Tembo
| image       = Vera Tembo.jpg
| image           = Vera Tembo.jpg
| office     = [[First Lady of Zambia]]
| caption        =
| term_start = November 2, 1991
| office         = 2nd [[First Lady of Zambia]]
| term_end   = September 25, 2001<ref name=bbc/>
| term_start     = 2 November 1991
| predecessor = [[Betty Kaunda]]
| term_end       = 25 September 2001
| successor   = [[Maureen Mwanawasa]]
| president      = [[Frederick Chiluba]]
| president  = [[Frederick Chiluba]]
| predecessor     = [[Betty Kaunda]]
| office2    = Member of the [[National Assembly (Zambia)|National Assembly]]
| successor       = [[Maureen Mwanawasa]]
| constituency2=Kasenengwa  
| office2        = [[Member of the National Assembly]] for [[Kasenengwa]]
| term_start2 = 2006
| term_start2     = 2006
| term_end2   = 2011
| term_end2       = 2011
| predecessor2= ?
| successor2     = [[Victoria Kalima]]
| successor2 = [[Victoria Kalima]]
| office3        = Deputy Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources
| occupation  =
| term_start3    = 2006
| birth_name  =  
| term_end3      = 2011
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1953|7|25}}
| president3      = [[Levy Mwanawasa]]; [[Rupiah Banda]]
| birth_place =
| party          = [[Movement for Multi-Party Democracy]] (MMD)
| death_date  =
| birth_date     = {{birth date and age|1953|7|25}} <!-- see note in article body on conflicting sources -->
| death_place =  
| nationality    = Zambian
| spouse     = [[Frederick Chiluba]] (?-2000; ''divorced'')
| spouse         = [[Frederick Chiluba]] (div. 2001)
| children   = Nine
| children       = 9
| party      = [[Movement for Multi-Party Democracy|MMD]]
| occupation      = Politician, pastor
| alma_mater  =  
}}
}}


'''Vera Tembo''' (born July 25, 1953) is a [[Zambia]]n politician and member of the [[Movement for Multi-Party Democracy]] (MMD). She served as the [[First Lady of Zambia]] from 1991 until her separation from her former husband, [[President of Zambia|President]] [[Frederick Chiluba]].  
'''Vera Tembo''' (born 25 July 1953), also known as '''Vera Tembo Chiluba''', is a [[Zambia]]n [[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<ref>“Divorce for Zambia’s first couple,” BBC News, 25 September 2001, https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1562369.stm</ref>. In 2006 she won the [[Kasenengwa]] seat and served in Parliament and as Deputy Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources until 2011<ref>“Vera Explains Her Contesting Kasenengwa Seat,” AllAfrica (The Post/Zambia), 17 April 2006, https://allafrica.com/stories/200604170447.html</ref><ref>“Zambia: Only Five Women Ministers in New Cabinet,” AllAfrica (SARDC), 13 October 2006, https://allafrica.com/stories/200610130003.html</ref>.


In [[Zambian general election, 2006|2006]], she made her political comeback by being elected to the [[National Assembly of Zambia]] from [[Kasenengwa]] constituency.<ref name=bbc/>
==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<ref>“Divorce for Zambia’s first couple,” BBC News, 25 September 2001, https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1562369.stm</ref>.


==Biography==
==First Lady of Zambia (1991–2001)==
Tembo was married to [[Frederick Chiluba]], with whom she had nine children, for thirty-three years, until he announced their separation in 2000.<ref name=iol>{{cite news|first=Obert|last=Simwanza|title=Zambia’s ex-president Chiluba dies |url=http://www.iol.co.za/news/africa/zambias-ex-president-chiluba-dies-1084985 |work=[[Independent Online (South Africa)]] |date=2011-06-18 |accessdate=2016-08-28}}</ref> Chiluba became [[President of Zambia]] in 1991, making Tembo the country's [[First Lady of Zambia|First Lady]] from 1991 until their divorce.<ref name=bbc>{{cite news|first=|last=|title=Divorce for Zambia's first couple |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1562488.stm |work=[[BBC News]] |date=2001-09-25 |accessdate=2016-08-28}}</ref> Tembo left the State House, the presidential residence, shortly after Chiluba's announcement and moved in with family in [[Ndola]].<ref name=bbc/> Their divorce became final on September 25, 2001, when an [[annulment]] was granted by a local court in Ndola after thirty-three years of marriage.<ref name=bbc/>
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<ref>“Divorce for Zambia’s first couple,” BBC News, 25 September 2001, https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1562369.stm</ref>. In 2002, amid post-divorce financial disputes, the Zambian government offered her assistance after reports she had listed possessions for auction<ref>“Zambia ex first lady to get state aid,” BBC News, 3 May 2002, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1966564.stm</ref>.


Vera Tembo described the circumstances of her separation and divorce from Chiluba as "humiliating."<ref name=bbc/> She campaigned  during the [[Zambian general election, 2001|2001 general election]] by urging Zambian women to vote in the election.<ref name=bbc/> She also signaled her intention to enter politics.<ref name=bbc/> Chiluba left office in December 2001 after failing to win support for a third presidential term, which was banned by the country's [[Constitution of Zambia|Constitution]].<ref name=bbc2>{{cite news|first=|last=|title=Zambia ex first lady to get state aid |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1967452.stm |work=[[BBC News]] |date=2002-05-03 |accessdate=2016-08-28}}</ref> Former President [[Frederick Chiluba]] married his girlfriend, Regina Mwanza, in 2002, a few months after his divorce from Tembo was finalized.
==Return to politics==
Tembo entered elective politics in 2006, winning [[Kasenengwa]] Constituency for the MMD; she became the first woman to represent the seat<ref>“Vera Explains Her Contesting Kasenengwa Seat,” AllAfrica (The Post/Zambia), 17 April 2006, https://allafrica.com/stories/200604170447.html</ref>. 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<ref>“Zambia: Only Five Women Ministers in New Cabinet,” AllAfrica (SARDC), 13 October 2006, https://allafrica.com/stories/200610130003.html</ref><ref>“I Deserve the Appointment – Vera,” AllAfrica ([[Zambia Daily Mail]]), 10 October 2006, https://allafrica.com/stories/200610100444.html</ref>. 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<ref>“Zambia: Govt Receives More Black Rhinos,” AllAfrica (African Conservation Foundation/ZANIS), 28 May 2010, https://allafrica.com/stories/201005280607.html</ref>.


By early 2002, Zambian newspapers reported that Tembo was living in poverty after Chiluba had allegedly frozen her [[bank account]].<ref name=bbc2/> She filed a $2.5 U.S. dollar [[lawsuit]] against Chiluba as part of the divorce settlement.<ref name=bbc2/><ref name=bbc3>{{cite news|first=|last=|title=Zambia ex first lady to get state aid |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1967452.stm |work=[[BBC News]] |date=2002-05-03 |accessdate=2016-08-27}}</ref> The Zambian government offered Tembo financial assistance in May 2002 after she listed her personal possessions in an [[auction]].<ref name=bbc2/>
A parliamentary tribute in October 2011 by her successor in Kasenengwa, [[Victoria Kalima]], acknowledged Tembo’s five years of service and constituency development efforts<ref>“Debates – Tuesday, 25th October, 2011,” National Assembly of Zambia (Hansard), https://www.parliament.gov.zm/node/1283</ref>.


In 2006, Tembo ran for the Kasenengwa constituency seat in the [[National Assembly (Zambia)|Zambia]] as a Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) candidate. She won the [[Zambian general election, 2006|election]] and became the first woman to represent Kasenengwa, a largely rural seat in her home [[Eastern Province, Zambia|Eastern Province]], in the National Assembly.<ref name=afrol>{{cite news|first=|last=|title=From divorced First Lady to Zambian Minister |url=http://www.afrol.com/articles/22033 |work=[[afrol]] |date=2006-10-18 |accessdate=2016-08-28}}</ref> In October 2006, shortly after the election, President [[Levy Mwanawasa]] appointed Tembo as Deputy Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources in his [[Cabinet (government)|cabinet]].<ref name=ppress>{{cite news|first=|last=|title=Mwanawasa names predecessor's ex-wife as deputy minister |url=http://www.panapress.com/Mwanawasa-names-predecessor-s-ex-wife-as-deputy-minister--13-478748-18-lang2-index.html |work=[[PanaPress]] |date=2006-10-09 |accessdate=2016-08-28}}</ref><ref name=sardc>{{cite news|first=|last=|title=Only five women ministers in Zambia’s new cabinet |url=http://www.sardc.net/en/southern-african-news-features/only-five-women-ministers-in-zambias-new-cabinet/ |work=Southern African Research and Documentation Centre (SARDC) |date=October 2006 |accessdate=2016-08-28}}</ref>  
==Pastoral ministry==
In March 2015 Tembo announced she had been ordained a pastor and launched the Healing International Ministry<ref>“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/</ref><ref>“Vera Chiluba takes a pastoral route,” Lusaka Voice, 2 March 2015, https://lusakavoice.com/2015/03/02/vera-chiluba-takes-a-pastoral-route/</ref>.


Vera Tembo, who was re-appointed as Deputy Minister by Mwanawasa's successor, President [[Rupiah Banda]], held the ministry portfolio from 2006 until 2011, when she left the National Assembly. In 2010, Tembo oversaw the relocation of [[black rhinoceros]]es to [[North Luangwa National Park]] and other natural areas of Zambia, citing the program as a boost to both the country's environment and the [[Tourism in Zambia|tourism industry]].<ref name=acf>{{cite news|first=|last=|title=Zambia: Govt Receives More Black Rhinos |url=http://www.africanconservation.org/wildlife-news/zambia-govt-receives-more-black-rhinos-2 |work=[[African Conservation Foundation]] |date=2010-05-28 |accessdate=2016-08-28}}</ref>
==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<ref>“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/</ref>.


In March 2015, Vera Tembo announced that she had become a Christian [[pastor]] and had founded a new church called the Healing International Ministry.<ref name=ltimes>{{cite news|first=|last=|title=Vera Chiluba becomes a Pastor and forms Healing International Ministry |url=https://www.lusakatimes.com/2015/03/03/vera-chiluba-becomes-pastor-forms-healing-international-ministry/ |work=[[Lusaka Times]] |date=2015-03-03 |accessdate=2016-08-28}}</ref>
==See also==
* [[First Lady of Zambia]]
* [[Frederick Chiluba]]
* [[Movement for Multi-Party Democracy]]
 
{{First Ladies of Zambia}}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
<references />
 
{{First Ladies of Zambia}}


[[Category:People of Zambia]]
[[Category:People of Zambia]]
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[[Category:Movement for Multi-Party Democracy politicians]]
[[Category:Movement for Multi-Party Democracy politicians]]
[[Category:People from Eastern Province]]
[[Category:People from Eastern Province]]
[[Category:Zambian pastors]]

Latest revision as of 04:40, 13 August 2025

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

  1. ↑ “Divorce for Zambia’s first couple,” BBC News, 25 September 2001, https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1562369.stm
  2. ↑ “Vera Explains Her Contesting Kasenengwa Seat,” AllAfrica (The Post/Zambia), 17 April 2006, https://allafrica.com/stories/200604170447.html
  3. ↑ “Zambia: Only Five Women Ministers in New Cabinet,” AllAfrica (SARDC), 13 October 2006, https://allafrica.com/stories/200610130003.html
  4. ↑ “Divorce for Zambia’s first couple,” BBC News, 25 September 2001, https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1562369.stm
  5. ↑ “Divorce for Zambia’s first couple,” BBC News, 25 September 2001, https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1562369.stm
  6. ↑ “Zambia ex first lady to get state aid,” BBC News, 3 May 2002, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1966564.stm
  7. ↑ “Vera Explains Her Contesting Kasenengwa Seat,” AllAfrica (The Post/Zambia), 17 April 2006, https://allafrica.com/stories/200604170447.html
  8. ↑ “Zambia: Only Five Women Ministers in New Cabinet,” AllAfrica (SARDC), 13 October 2006, https://allafrica.com/stories/200610130003.html
  9. ↑ “I Deserve the Appointment – Vera,” AllAfrica (Zambia Daily Mail), 10 October 2006, https://allafrica.com/stories/200610100444.html
  10. ↑ “Zambia: Govt Receives More Black Rhinos,” AllAfrica (African Conservation Foundation/ZANIS), 28 May 2010, https://allafrica.com/stories/201005280607.html
  11. ↑ “Debates – Tuesday, 25th October, 2011,” National Assembly of Zambia (Hansard), https://www.parliament.gov.zm/node/1283
  12. ↑ “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/
  13. ↑ “Vera Chiluba takes a pastoral route,” Lusaka Voice, 2 March 2015, https://lusakavoice.com/2015/03/02/vera-chiluba-takes-a-pastoral-route/
  14. ↑ “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/
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