/ 9 October 2006

Scorned first lady makes a name for herself in politics

Former Zambian first lady Vera Tembo (formerly Chiluba) showed her resilience in last week’s general elections, winning a parliamentary seat for the Movement for Multi Party Democracy (MMD).

She is the first woman to hold that seat, located in the heartland of the United National Independence Party opposition stronghold.

Tembo’s departure from State House in 2000 took place under a painful cloud of scorn. Her husband of nearly 30 years, president Frederick Chiluba, cast her out of his life and, more shockingly, brought their marital problems out into the public domain.

The media had a field day. Without hearing her side of the story they published and ran stories about the allegations that Chiluba was making — that she was an adulterer. Once the divorce was final Chiluba went on to marry his girlfriend, Regina Mwanza.

Tembo, with her children, tried to pick up the pieces of their lives away from the public gaze. This year saw her rise far above these difficulties. She entered the political arena with a vengeance, joining the ruling MMD, a party her ex-husband once headed, winning the position Chiluba’s new wife once held, chairperson for women’s affairs.

While still euphoric about her parliamentary win Tembo admits she still has her demons to deal with. Naturally, the interest in her former life has resurrected, but Tembo believes it is for a different reason now. It is because people want to see for themselves the scorned woman rise and lift up her head again. She says also that she wants to show women that there is a life — a useful life — after divorce.

Zarina Geloo owns and edits The Guardian Weekly in Zambia. This article is part of the Gender Links Opinion and Commentary Service that provides fresh views on everyday news