Denise Nyakéru Tshisekedi

Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi is the First Lady of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), wife of President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo. A nurse by training and a committed humanitarian, she is renowned for her advocacy in women’s empowerment, education, health, and cultural heritage. Through her foundation, she has initiated numerous programs aimed at uplifting the Congolese population, particularly women and children.

Early Life and Education

Denise Nyakeru was born in Bukavu, South Kivu province. Tragically, she lost both her parents in a car accident when she was just nine months old. Following this, she and her siblings were raised in Kinshasa by their maternal uncle, Abbé Sylvestre Ngami Mudahwa, a Catholic chaplain in the Zairian Armed Forces. She completed her secondary education at Lycée Tobongisa in Kinshasa before moving to Belgium to pursue nursing studies.

Professional Career

In Belgium, Denise Nyakeru embarked on a career in healthcare, working in various nursing homes, including the Ariane nursing home in Brussels. Her experiences in the healthcare sector instilled in her values of altruism, respect, solidarity, and generosity, which later influenced her humanitarian endeavors.

Role as First Lady

As First Lady, Denise Nyakeru has been actively involved in social and humanitarian causes. In May 2019, she launched the Fondation Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi (FDNT), focusing on four main areas:

1. Women’s Health: Initiatives to improve maternal and child health, including vaccination drives and health education campaigns.

2. Education: Programs to enhance the quality of education, provide scholarships, and support school renovations.

3. Combating Gender-Based Violence: Efforts to raise awareness and prevent violence against women and girls.

4. Women’s Empowerment: Support for female entrepreneurship and economic independence.

International Recognition

Denise Nyakeru’s commitment to social causes has garnered international attention. In May 2019, she was appointed as a UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador for the fight against gender-based violence and the empowerment of women. Later that year, she was named a World Champion for the Prevention of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence by the United Nations.

Humanitarian Efforts

In response to the 2021 eruption of Mount Nyiragongo, Denise Nyakeru’s foundation provided essential aid to affected communities, including food, non-food items, and drinking water to military camps in Goma. Additionally, the foundation donated 500 metal desks to schools damaged by the disaster, facilitating the continuation of education for displaced students.

Cultural Initiatives

Denise Nyakeru is passionate about preserving and promoting Congolese culture. She has launched programs to instill pride and respect for cultural heritage among young people, supporting local artisans and traditional crafts to promote sustainable development and economic opportunities for women.

Personal Life

Denise Nyakeru is married to President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, and together they have five children. Her personal experiences, including the loss of her parents and her career in healthcare, have deeply influenced her humanitarian work, driving her passion for creating a supportive and nurturing environment for all Congolese citizens.

Languages

Denise Nyakeru is multilingual, fluent in French, Swahili, and Lingala, with proficiency in English and Kinyarwanda.

• Date Of Birth: 9 March 1967
• Country: Democratic Republic of Congo
• President/ Head Of State: President Félix Tshisekedi
• Years in Office: 24 January 2019 – Present