Marie- Olive Lembe di Sita is the wife of president Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) little is known about this woman.
She was born in July, 29th 1976 in Kailo, Maniema, (former Zaire). She is the current first lady of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
She was very secretive and discreet, almost elusive long term fiancée of Congolese president Joseph Kabila since 2000. They got married on 17th June 2006.
She is a mother of two, Sifa Kabila and Laurent-Desire Kabila. The couple got their daughter, Sifa Kabila named after Kabila’s own mother and former first lady of the DRCongo, Sifa Mananya in 2001 before they got married.
On their wedding day, 17th June 2006, the Catholic Archbishop of Kinshasa, Cardinal Frederic Etsou Bamungwabi and the Presiding Bishop of the Church of Christ in Congo Pierre Marini Bodho were both present to sermon their wedding because Joseph Kabila is Anglican and Mrs. Lembe di Sita is Catholic.
The pope Benedict XVI sent them a message through the Cardinal Etsou and Bishop Marini on behalf of all DRC communities gave the couple two kitenges (fabric used as African traditional wear) and two ropes representing the traditional ritual.
In 2008, the first couple was living a serious marital crisis and attempted to divorce. Joseph Kabila wouldn’t allow it and he prohibited his wife to leave the country and charged the security service to make sure she was within the country.
In 2010, presidential sources confirmed that Marie- Olive Lembe was violently beaten by her husband.
She was first admitted in Ngaliema, a clinic in Kinshasa but she was in such bad shape that she resumed her medical treatment in Brussels, Belgium at the Brugman hospital.
According to her people, Olive Lembe Kabila is a woman who has always been generous and outgoing with people. She is defined and seen as a very simple and positive lady.
She created an association,Maman Olive Lembe Kabila Sisters Organization that consists on supporting women farmers into getting involved in development and attaining their independence, supplying ploughing equipment and improved seeds, raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and STI’s as well as awareness about deforestation.
Compiled by Nice Kanangire
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