Olive Lembe di Sita
Encyclopedia
Marie Olive Lembe di Sita (born 29 July 1976 in Kailo, Maniema
, Zaire
) is the current First Lady
of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
. She was the very secretive and discreet—almost elusive—long-term (since 2000) fiancée of Congolese President Joseph Kabila
. She married her long term fiancé on 17 June 2006, becoming her country's First Lady
.
In 2001, a daughter was born to the couple, Sifa Kabila, named after Kabila's own mother, and former - similarly discreet and secretive - first lady Sifa Mahanya.
Two different dates emerged, some reports stating 10 June 2007, and other stating 10 June 2006. The wedding eventually took place on 17 June 2006 at the Presidential residence, in La Gombe
, Kinshasa
.
As President Kabila is Protestant, and Ms. Lembe di Sita is Catholic, the wedding ceremony was somewhat ecumenical, with both Cardinal Etsou, and Mgr Pierre Molefe Bodho - Bishop and President of the Church of Christ in Congo, the umbrella church for most Protestant denominations in Congo - officiating. Cardinal Etsou had preeminence however.
Maniema
Maniema is a province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its capital is Kindu.Following the 2005 Constitution , 25 new provinces were to be created from the 10 current provinces within 36 months . As of October 2010, this had not taken place...
, Zaire
Zaire
The Republic of Zaire was the name of the present Democratic Republic of the Congo between 27 October 1971 and 17 May 1997. The name of Zaire derives from the , itself an adaptation of the Kongo word nzere or nzadi, or "the river that swallows all rivers".-Self-proclaimed Father of the Nation:In...
) is the current First Lady
First Lady
First Lady or First Gentlemanis the unofficial title used in some countries for the spouse of an elected head of state.It is not normally used to refer to the spouse or partner of a prime minister; the husband or wife of the British Prime Minister is usually informally referred to as prime...
of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
. She was the very secretive and discreet—almost elusive—long-term (since 2000) fiancée of Congolese President Joseph Kabila
Joseph Kabila
Joseph Kabila Kabange is a Congolese politician who has been President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo since January 2001. He took office ten days after the assassination of his father, President Laurent-Désiré Kabila...
. She married her long term fiancé on 17 June 2006, becoming her country's First Lady
First Lady
First Lady or First Gentlemanis the unofficial title used in some countries for the spouse of an elected head of state.It is not normally used to refer to the spouse or partner of a prime minister; the husband or wife of the British Prime Minister is usually informally referred to as prime...
.
In 2001, a daughter was born to the couple, Sifa Kabila, named after Kabila's own mother, and former - similarly discreet and secretive - first lady Sifa Mahanya.
Wedding
On 1 June 2006, the head of the MAISON CIVIL, Amb. Theo Mugalu, officially announced the wedding of Ms. Lembe di Sita to the President.Two different dates emerged, some reports stating 10 June 2007, and other stating 10 June 2006. The wedding eventually took place on 17 June 2006 at the Presidential residence, in La Gombe
La Gombe (Kinshasa)
Gombe is a municipality in the Lukunga district of Kinshasa, the capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.It is also known as La Gombe and was formerly known as Kalina...
, Kinshasa
Kinshasa
Kinshasa is the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The city is located on the Congo River....
.
As President Kabila is Protestant, and Ms. Lembe di Sita is Catholic, the wedding ceremony was somewhat ecumenical, with both Cardinal Etsou, and Mgr Pierre Molefe Bodho - Bishop and President of the Church of Christ in Congo, the umbrella church for most Protestant denominations in Congo - officiating. Cardinal Etsou had preeminence however.