In the much publicized rift between Danny Green and the slumbering association of Cameroonian comedians CAMCOMICS, Know Elonge who was then more popular for being one of the hosts of FREAKY TABLE took to addressing the state of the comedy sector in the Cameroonian entertainment industry. He shared his opinion that there was a tremendous lack in originality and he did not find many who called themselves comedians to be funny.
As is common in our community, criticism even when constructive is rebuked with “if you think you can do it better, come and do it let us see.” I had my fair share of that with some bloggers before starting PoiseSocial. It is safe to say at this moment that the rest is history for me and for Kwoh Elonge who by the end of today would have taken one giant step for the comedy sector in Cameroon. I cannot continue without commending the job Caro, Copees, Dorcas and Godiz Fungwa (AKA Richard) have played. We must however acknowledge the fact that Kwoh has been the X factor.
We sure live in a community that is rife with critics with no credibility but there are people who have earned the right or are in the position to offer criticism. It is left to us to use our own intelligence to know those people and differentiate them from the bunch. Kwoh Elonge is an intellectual writer, eloquent speaker, experienced researcher and career administrator. To that we can now add top class comedian. If you think someone of his credentials is of unwarranted opinion on just about anything, then I am happy to tell you, you will be wrong many times over.
I can borrow from Kendrick Lamar’s verse on the remix of Mask Off and ask those comedians that came at Kwoh, metaphorically in this case; “How y'all let a conscious ni55a go commercial while only makin' conscious albums?
While many will be laughing out their lungs today, some will be sitting in a dark corner, probably drinking stale palm wine and scratching their heads wondering what their forefathers did for them to deserve such a slap in the face, in their family compound, from a foreigner whose residency permit is yet to be established.
One would hope this will be a lesson for many. That many will hold back from being all the time defensive and learn to separate the grain from the chaff. History has however told us biology has it that short memory is next to original sin when it comes to Cameroonian birth defects.
Most of the people concerned have probably not reached this stage of the article because “who is going to read this long thing” is the motto written across the bandwagon of ignorance that is driving the masses to a mass grave. A grave that rests in the South Region of Cameroon, thirsty for the carcass of the average Cameroonian whose souls it can’t wait to usher into Susongo, where their inner judge will finally find judgement without a chance of turning back the hands of time.
Poor judgement indeed remains a most valued skill in our community and the resumes are lining up with years and years of experience being added on the daily. A famous rapper once said: -many are too quick to speak while their thoughts are still forming, an apt observation that has not gotten much appreciation just like its author.
A few of those pillars still remain; pillars on which a thriving society can be built but every single day, someone is bringing a sledge hammer to one. Today, many will laugh and it is not going to be funny for some people. BUT, there is always HOPE for those who will not let shame push them away. By tomorrow, Cameroon’s comedy sector will have new life, and there will be enough for everyone in that industry to have a piece of the pie but I still fear, that those who did not eat today will say “who told you I am hungry.”
I will find the article where I wrote that comedy will save Cameroon’s movie industry and that is the next step for Kwoh and co. Yesterday DIAGEO and captain Morgan joined the train as sponsors. My wish is that they do enough to make sure this train transforms from a locomotive to a modern high speed train that can take Cameroonian entertainment further and faster.
- Norbert Foy
P.S
Good news for those in the diaspora especially!!! You no have the opportunity to stream the live show via zoom. All you have to do is make payment of $20 or £15 by Mobile money to this number 674 834 477 (Ngwain Timchia Promise) and you will receive your code to watch the show!!! For those in Cameroon who will like to stream, 10k is the price. E go wuruwuru!!!