26/05/2026
Know your Leader
Tonight we feature Vera MNC Kamponje, a servant leader, missionary, entrepreneur, and mentor whose life is deeply rooted in service to God and humanity.
Vera Kamponje comes from a family of five children biologically, but her family circle extends beyond that, as she is also number six in a home where her mother adopted and raised other children as her own. This background shaped her understanding of unity, responsibility, and compassion from an early age.
She is a proud mother to a beautiful daughter and many other children she lovingly calls her own. Over time, her nurturing spirit has earned her the affectionate title âmother of the nation,â reflecting her deep commitment to raising, guiding, and supporting young people and families beyond her immediate household.
At the centre of her identity is her calling as a missionary, a role she treasures most. For the past 23 years, she has served as a missionary volunteer in various capacities, driven by a passion for ministry, evangelism, and humanitarian service. Currently, she serves as the Country Director for the National Association for the Prevention of Starvation (NAPS) Zambia, while also supporting operations in other African countries. NAPS is a supporting ministry that works alongside the church in evangelism and relief efforts, particularly focusing on addressing hunger and providing support to vulnerable communities.
Beyond her ministry work, Vera is also an accomplished entrepreneur. She is the founder of DAVERA FOODLINE & DESIGNERS, an events planning company specialising in catering services, dĂŠcor, and full event coordination. For over 14 years, DAVERA has built a strong reputation for quality, professionalism, and excellence, serving clients nationally and internationally across different social and professional spaces.
Academically and professionally, she is a multi-skilled practitioner with experience as a journalist and media specialist, medical missionary, nurse, chef, counselor, and protocol personnel.
Her journey in church ministry began in 2001 when she was invested as a Master Guide. Since then, she has undergone extensive leadership development, including PLA and APLA training, Teen Leadership, SYL, CMT, Silver and Gold Awards, Womenâs Ministry training, and Voice of Prophecy (VOP) training. These experiences have shaped her into a well-grounded leader in youth and womenâs ministry.
In media, her journey began with MCing church events, where she discovered a passion for communication. This led her into professional broadcasting, including her pioneering role with Hope Channel Zambia as one of its first hosts. She presented a programme called "Praise Moments from Zambia" and later served with other media platforms using communication as a tool for inspiration and faith-based engagement.
Her leadership journey is equally remarkable. She started as a Pathfinder Director at the age of 14 and progressed through various leadership roles including parade marshal at the Conference level, District Committee Member, Youth President, and Secretary roles across Central Zambia Conference, Lusaka Conference, and Woodland Conference. She also served in key responsibilities such as heading catering for the SID Pathfinder Camporee in Livingstone in 2014 and acting as Union Secretary at the SID Pathfinder Camporee in Zimbabwe in 2025.
Currently, she serves as a Constitution Committee Member in Lusaka Conference, Westwood District Youth President, Womenâs Ministry Leader for Satellite Central Westwood, and Youth & Ambassador Leader at Satellite Central SDA Church.
Through all her experiences, Vera Kamponje lives by a simple yet powerful philosophy: never give up on life. Even when life gives you lemons, turn them into lemonade or lemon cake and keep moving forward. Above all, she firmly believes that God remains in control, and He will always make a way.
Ladies and gentleman behold your leader Kamponje
Pic credit : Daudi Banda
