While some African first ladies are somewhat limited to ceremonial functions and charities, many of them are devoted forces who use the resources at their disposal to the advantage of many — especially women, children and the disadvantaged. Many African first ladies have done well in their motherly and leadership responsibilities in their respective countries, though a few have lived exceptionally scandalous and corrupt lives. Most of those that are still being criticised, mainly for their glitz and glamour, have acquired the respect and admiration of their people for the causes they represent. Here are some African first ladies and how they have made their marks:
RWANDA
Rwanda’s first lady Jeanette Kagame is best known for her work with the Organisation of African First Ladies (OAFL) against HIV/AIDS, of which 42 countries are currently members. She co-founded the organisation in 2002 and served as its president from 2004 to 2006. Mrs Kagame is also known for her dedication to her family. Her social and philanthropic work has earned her the admiration of not only the people of Rwanda but also of the entire African continent and beyond.
In 2001, she founded the Protection and Care of Families Against HIV/AIDS (PACFAH), an initiative primarily focused on providing a holistic approach to HIV/AIDS prevention and cure for the whole family. PACFAH later became known as the Imbito Foundation, an organisation engaging, empowering, and educating Rwanda’s young generation to become change makers. The first lady’s personal creed is: “A seed planted, watered, nurtured and given all the necessary support successfully grows into a healthy plant –one that reaches high and stands tall.”
MADAGASCAR
Mialy Rajoelina is the first lady of Madagascar. She is not only an African first lady who embodies the ideal of today’s African woman but also described as the youngest first lady on the continent; she is just in her mid-30s. Mialy is an enterprising, intelligent, independent, ambitious, glamorous and caring woman. She finds humility in all these, especially when it comes to her family affair. The seamless union between her and her husband, President Andry Rajoelina, who is also said to be the youngest person to become president of an African nation at the age of 34, is amazing. This has earned the couple the name “Andrialy” among the Madagascar people.
Mialy met her husband, Andry Rajoelina, when she was only 17, but hung up on any marriage decision until after she completed her education. That decision paid off because not only was she armed with education and ambition, it allowed her to maintain her independence while she assisted him to manage his business. Young girls in the society today have a big lesson to learn from her success story.
COTE D’ IVOIRE
Claudine Dominique Ouattara is the first lady of Cote d’ Ivoire and founder of the Children of Africa Foundation (CAF), an organisation which aims to assist distressed children in Africa not only through the various charitable acts and donations but also through sponsoring well known and accountable charity groups. She was born on December 16, 1953, in Constantine, French Algeria, into a Pied-Nior family.
After completing her secondary education, Dominique moved to Paris to study languages and economics at Paris X University. She later earned additional degrees in property management in 1987 and earned a diploma in real estate expertise in 1989. It was there in Paris that she met and later married her husband, the current president of Cote d’ Ivoire, Alassane Ouattara.
She founded the Children of Africa Foundation in 1989 and has since dedicated large amount of time and effort to humanitarian missions. In July 2012, Mrs Ouattara signed an agreement with the world Cocoa Foundation (WCF) in Washington, DC, to develop and implement educational and vocational training programmes that would benefit more than 12, 000 Ivorians through successful educational programmes.
UGANDAN
Janet Kataaha Museveni is the first lady of Uganda. It is refreshing to come across an African first lady who is also a powerful politician. The nation of Uganda gets a two-in-one package deal in Janet Kataaha Museveni. The first lady is an elected member of parliament representing the Ruhaama County in the Ntungamo District, and she is also the honourable minister for Karamoja affairs.
Janet Museveni is a woman of strong character and conviction, and she is probably one of the most influential and most powerful first ladies to currently on the African continent. Mrs Museveni leveraged her platform as first lady to support orphans, vulnerable children, abused girls and Uganda’s youths. She is the founder of the Uganda Women’s Initiative to save orphans, an organisation she established in 1986, and the patron of the National Youths Forum.
In 1971, when Idi Amin toppled the Obote regime in a military coup, Lady Museveni fled to live with her cousin in neighbouring Tanzania. It was in Tanzania that she reunited with her childhood friend, Yoweri Museveni. The future president was then a guerrilla under the Front for National Salvation Army (FRONASA). Their reunion was followed by a marriage in August 1973 which produced four children.
Mrs Museveni spent her time championing the cause of orphans and children. She continues to be at the forefront of politics, playing an active role in voicing the needs of Uganda’s youths and the Karamoja community.
NIGERIA
Patience Jonathan, Nigeria’s first lady, is a champion for the rights and growth of women. The coupling of her position and passion is a much-needed weapon in a society known as a “man’s world”. She has constantly played roles in women empowerment right from the time her husband, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, was deputy governor of Bayelsa State. She has effectively established herself as a woman’s advocate. Her resolve to ensure that women participate actively in socio-political affairs led to the birth of the “Women for Change and Development Initiative (WCDI)” in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria on October 15, 2010. WCDI takes keen interest in promoting women empowerment and gender equality.
But with the socio-political cum economic quagmire in which the country is enmeshed, one may be tempted to think she has abandoned her obligation as her husband’s complement: she needs to keep advising him on the best way to transform Nigeria and place it on the path of sustainable development.
Patience Faka Jonathan was born in 1957 into the respectable Christian family of Chief Lazarus Iwari-Oba in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, south-south Nigeria. Dame Patience earned her school certificate in 1976, and passed the West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE) in 1980. In 1989, she obtained the National Certificate of Education (NCE) in Mathematics and Biology from the Rivers State College of Arts and Science, Port Harcourt. She then proceeded to the University of Port Harcourt and studied Biology and Psychology. Whenever the first lady speaks, she humbles comedians in their trade.
First lady Patience Jonathan has been recognized locally and internationally for her philanthropic or, better still, humanitarian work.
MARYAM BABANGIDA
Mariam Babangida (November 1, 1948-December 27, 2009) was the wife of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida who was Nigeria’s military president from 1985 to 1993. However, Maryam was credited with creating the position of first lady in Nigeria. Actually, it was during her time that the title became popular and was officially given recognition in Nigeria.
She was a cousin of Garba Duba, a friend and military colleague of Ibrahim Babangida. On September 6, 1969, shortly before turning 21, Maryam married then Major Babangida. They had four children — two boys, Mohammed and Aminu, and two girls, Aisha and Halima. After her husband became chief of army staff in 1983, she became president of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA). She was active in this role, launching schools, clinics, women training centres, and child day care centres.
KENYA’S FORMER FIRST LADY LUCY MUTHONI KIBAKI
Lucy Muthoni Kibaki, the former first lady of Kenya, was widely considered controversial in Kenya. Lucy was reputed to have a special devotion to supporting disadvantaged and disabled people and further advising young girls to protect themselves against HIV/AIDS. Also, she campaigned against youth vulnerability to the risks of poor health and illiteracy. She was also the chairperson of the Organisation of the 40 African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS.
In particular, Lucy Kibaki was known for her quick and uncontrolled temper which often manifested in the way she conducted herself in handling public issues. In Kenya, she was known as a “no-nonsense woman” who bared her mind on issues and used little aggression and force to get people to fall in line.
However, Kenyans got a good signal from her action — that she had the masses in mind. She was once reported to have shut down a legislative building, ordering the president’s advisers out because they refused to carry out her bidding but were pushing their own personal agendas.
ANGOLA’S FIRST LADY ANA PAULA dos SANTOS
The first lady of Angola, Ana Paula dos Santos, is very dear to the hearts of Angolans for her dedication to tackling the serious challenges of the Angolan nation with special emphasis placed on women, children and a population displaced by war and the ensuing landmine legacy. Also, such issues as her affluent lifestyle despite the ravaging poverty in Angola, and her business dealings mostly in diamond, attracted her widespread criticism.
Paula who was born on October 17, 1963, was formerly a fashion model and air hostess of the Angolan presidential aeroplane. It was when she was working on the presidential flight that she got to know Jose Eduardo dos Santos who later became her husband. They got married on May 17, 1991.
She has often tried to exert her influence on political and administrative matters; this often irritates the political mainstream in Angola.
TUNISIA’S FORMER FIRST LADY LEILA ALI
Leila Ben Ali is the wife of former president of Tunisia, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who assumed office on November 7, 1987. She was the erstwhile president of Arab Women Organisation working to secure employment for disabled people in Tunisia.
She founded a group known as SAIDA, a non-governmental organisation which was concerned with improving care for people suffering from cancer in the country. Between 2010 and 2011, the government of her husband was ousted, making them flee to Saudi Arabia.
She was active in philanthropy and humanitarian work in her role as first lady. She was also widely believed to have indulged in personal enrichment and family aggrandizement through gross corruption and embezzlement of state funds to finance lavish lifestyle.
GHANA’S FIRST LADY
The current First Lady of Ghana is Lordina Dramani Mahama. She became the first lady of Ghana on July 24, 2012, following her husband’s assumption of office as the president of Ghana after the death of John Attah Mills.
She is admired by Ghanaians for her love and unreserved compassion for the welfare of children. This makes her different in the estimation and admiration of the people of the political entity formerly known as Gold Coast but now known as Ghana. To demonstrate her love for children, she adopted a baby girl a few years ago from Osu Children’s Home, despite that she already has four boys for her husband.
She is described as humble and one with calm disposition. Mrs Lordina has deep-rooted interest in the future of youths. She therefore often advises them to be upright and study diligently in order to take their rightful place in the future leadership of the country.
FORMER FIRST LADY OF GHANA NANA RAWLINGS
Mrs. Nana Agyeman Rawlings, former first lady of Ghana, is the wife of former president John Jerry Rawlings. Nana met Rawlings when she was a student at Achimota School; they later got married in 1977.
Mrs Rawlings came to political limelight when her husband assumed the position of head of state of Ghana from 1979 to 2001, though there was intermittent break when he took over power again in Dec 1981 and continued until 2001. Bold in politics, Mrs Rawlings once challenged the late president John Attah Mills over their party National Democratic Congress ’ flag-bearer. She once stated that her desire was to see the emancipation of women at every level of development to enable them to contribute and benefit from the socio-economic and political progress of Ghana. She has steadily been a radical advocate for women empowerment.
Nana Rawlings was identified as being instrumental in the revolution in Ghana’s economy. Also, she is known to be one of the most flamboyant first ladies Ghana ever had.
NIGER’S FIRST LADY AISSATA ISSOUFU MAHAMADOU
The first lady of the Republic of Niger is Aissata Issoufu Mahamadou. Like some other first ladies in Africa, she took interest in the fight against mother-to-child transmission of the dreaded HIV. To this effect, she floated a foundation known as “Guri, For A Better Life” on March 28, 2013, in Niamey, capital of Niger. The foundation also works to promote development through health, education and poverty reduction.
Aissata toes the line of humility, charity and care, especially for children. This is a challenge to other first ladies in Africa who often dabble into politics and engage elected executive members in open verbal battle as a way of showing power and influence.
CAMEROUN’S FIRST LADY CHANTAL BIYA
Born in 1971 as Chantal Pulcherie Vigouroux, the first lady of Cameroun got married to President Paul Biya on April 23, 1994, after the death of his first wife Jeanne-Irene Biya in 1992. Chantel Biya established charitable organizations, among which are African Synergy that pursues various HIV/AIDS initiatives, and the Chantel Biya Foundation. Mrs Biya hosted the original First Ladies’ Summit in Yaoundé during the 1996 OAU Summit.
Among Camerounian women, Lady Biya is famous for her fashionable hairstyles. She is also known because of her exotic wardrobe. In November 2010, Bertrand Teyon published a book entitled “La Belle De La Republique Bananiere Chantel Biya, De La Rue Au Palais (English: “ The Belle of the Banana Republic: Chantel Biya, from the Streets to the Palace”), tracing Lady Biya’s rise from a humble origin to become first lady. He was subsequently given a two-year prison term on charges of “insult to character” and organising an “illegal demonstration” for attempting to hold a public reading. Due to the intervention of international bodies, especially Amnesty International, he was later freed.
Nigeria’s former First Lady: Hajiya Turai Umar Musa Yar’adua
Hajia Turai Umar Musa Yar’adua (born in July 1957) is the widow of former Nigeria President and former Kastina State Governor, Umar Musa Yar’adua. She is the immediate past First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. She served as the First Lady from 2007 until the demise of her husband, President Yar’adua, on May 5, 2010.
Born in Kastina, Turai attended Garama Primary School in and Government Girls Secondary School in Kankiya, both in Kastina State.
She later enroled at Kastina College of Arts, Science and Technology in Zaria, Kaduna State where she was reported named “the best student” in 1980. In 1983, she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Language from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Turai married Yar’adua in 1975, and they have five daughters and two sons .
She was rumoured to be one of her husband’s closest advisors during his tenure as President of Nigeria. She is believed to have influenced the choice of Professor Babatunde Osotimehin, the former Director General of the National Action Committee on AIDS, as Nigeria’s Minister of health during her husband’s reign.
Turai had launched the National Cancer Pet Project for which she allegedly canvassed fund to the tune of N9bn. But why that laudable project was not actualized eventually attracted strong criticism from the public.
Graça Machel
Graça Machel, (born Graça Simbine 17 October 1945) is a Mozambican politician and humanitarian. She is the third wife of former South African president Nelson Mandela and the widow of Mozambican president Samora Machel. She is an international advocate for women’s and children’s rights and in 1997 was made a British dame for her humanitarian work.
Graça Machel is the only person in history to have been first lady of two different African countries, serving as the First Lady of Mozambique from 1975 to 1986 and the First Lady of South Africa from 1998 to 1999.
Born in rural Incadine, Gaza Province, Portuguese East Africa, she attended Methodist mission schools before gaining a scholarship to the University of Lisbon in Portugal, where she studied German and first became involved in independence issues. She is also fluent in French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and English, as well as her native Tsonga. She returned to Portuguese East Africa in 1973, joined the Mozambican Liberation Front (Frelimo) and became a schoolteacher.
Machel received the 1995 Nansen Medal from the United Nations in recognition of her longstanding humanitarian work, particularly on behalf of refugee children.
She married South African President Nelson Mandela on 18 July 1998, his 80th birthday.
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