Who We Are
The St. Mary’s Dominican Convent Alumni Association (SMDCAA) is the officially registered alumni body for all former pupils of Dominican Convent (1939–1977) and St. Mary’s Secondary School (1978 to present).
We are a Community Service Organisation, registered under the Societies Act of Zambia, and we exist for one fundamental reason: to honour what the school gave us by giving back.
We are not a nostalgia club — though we have nothing against a good reunion. We are an active, structured, purposeful organisation with a clear vision, a formal constitution, and a growing community of alumni who believe that privilege carries responsibility.
Our Vision
To be a community whose purpose is to give back to the school financially and to be role models and mentors — providing work experience opportunities to the girls at St. Mary’s, in recognition of our privilege.
That word — privilege — is deliberate. Not everyone in Zambia gets the kind of education we received. We know that. And this association is our collective response to that knowledge.
Our Mission
To provide technical, financial and material support, networking and development to the students and alumni of St. Mary’s Secondary School.
What We Actually Do
A vision statement is only as good as what happens on the ground. Here’s what the SMDCAA is actively working on:
Giving back to the school. Fundraising drives, infrastructure projects, material donations — we are working to improve the experience of the girls currently sitting in those classrooms. Because someone did it for us.
Opening doors for students. Career days, leadership talks, mentorship programmes, internship pathways, scholarship linkages — we are a network of accomplished women spread across industries and borders, and we are putting that network to work for the next generation.
Investing in our alumni. Book study programmes, leadership development, health and wellness initiatives — because the growth that started at St. Mary’s doesn’t have to stop there.
Celebrating our community. A Gala Dinner and Awards evening. A Memorial Mass. Events that are not just occasions but rituals — the kind that remind you who you are and where you come from.
Our Values
Everything we do is grounded in five core values:
Truth and Transparency — we operate with honesty and accountability in everything.
Excellence and Innovation — we hold ourselves to the standard the school set for us.
Openness and Respect — we lead by example, the way the best teachers led us.
Commitment, Teamwork and Collaboration — no one builds something lasting alone.
Inclusivity, Equality and Equity — every alumna belongs here, regardless of when she left or where she is now.
Our Leadership
The SMDCAA is governed by a democratically elected Executive Committee, accountable to the full membership. Our first leadership team that started in 2023 included:
Lumba Kalumba
Chairperson
| Name | Role |
| Lumba Kalumba | Chairperson |
| Michelle Manda | Vice Chairperson |
| Mutombo Felicity Mwila | Secretary |
| Maiwase Sakala Chilongo | Vice Secretary |
| Chishimba Malikebo | Treasurer |
| Lozindaba Mtonga Dauya | Vice Treasurer |
| Barbara Lilanda | Committee Member |
| Joy Lewanika | Committee Member |
| Mary Yoyo | Committee Member |
| Kazuba Munungu | Committee Member |
We also had founder members of the subcommittees
Karen Parirenyatwa
Chimba Lumina
Alexina Mwense
Moonga Amasiatu
Mulala Mwansa
These ladies worked tirelessly to create the Association and we are indebted to their volunteering spirit to bring us to where we are today.
In December 2025, we had elections and whilst the majority of members went unopposed, we gained three new members
Doris Shakapanya Vice Chairperson
Brenda Makasa Sub committee member
Liz Mwiza Sub Committee member