Entertainment

Club 40 Solidarity Antwerpen celebrates 5th Anniversary, reaches out to widows affected by Anglophone Crisis

9, September 2026

Club 40 Solidarity Antwerpen celebrates 5th Anniversary, reaches out to widows affected by Anglophone Crisis 0

Club 40 Solidarity Antwerpen, a Cameroonian women’s organisation dedicated to fostering unity, cooperation and solidarity among Cameroonian women living in Antwerpen, is set to celebrate five years of existence with a special fundraising gala night on Saturday, September 12, 2026.

The anniversary celebration, which will take place at Kerkhofstraatblommenstraat 1, 2170 Antwerpen, beginning at 8:00 p.m., is expected to bring together Cameroonians, Africans, friends and well-wishers for an evening of entertainment, fellowship and humanitarian solidarity.

What makes this year’s celebration particularly significant is the decision by Club 40 Solidarity Antwerpen to use the occasion not only to celebrate its remarkable five-year journey, but also to raise funds to support widows affected by the ongoing crisis in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon.

The initiative is a commendable demonstration of compassion and social responsibility. At a time when many families in conflict-affected communities continue to struggle with loss, displacement and economic hardship, remembering widows and vulnerable families is a powerful expression of solidarity.

By dedicating part of its anniversary celebration to such a humanitarian cause, Club 40 Solidarity Antwerpen has demonstrated that community organisations can go beyond social gatherings to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people facing difficult circumstances back home.

The organisation deserves special commendation for keeping alive the spirit of community and extending its solidarity across borders. Its initiative is a reminder that celebrating success becomes even more meaningful when it is accompanied by an effort to uplift those in need.

Speaking about the event, Club 40 Solidarity Antwerpen President Lady Lia Eleanor Ndi appealed to Cameroonians and Africans in Antwerpen and beyond to turn out in large numbers and make the anniversary gala a memorable occasion.

The evening will also feature entertainment from renowned DJ Patcoole, promising guests an atmosphere of music, dancing, celebration and conviviality.

As Club 40 Solidarity Antwerpen reaches this important five-year milestone, its members deserve congratulations for their commitment to unity, cooperation and community building. Five years of existence is a significant achievement and the organisation’s decision to mark the occasion with a humanitarian fundraising initiative makes the milestone even more worthy of celebration.

The September 12 gala is therefore more than an anniversary party. It is an opportunity for the Cameroonian and wider African community in Antwerpen to come together, celebrate an organisation that has served its community for five years, and extend a helping hand to widows whose lives have been profoundly affected by conflict.

Cameroonians, Africans, friends of Cameroon and well-wishers are encouraged to attend the gala massively, support the fundraising effort and make their presence count.

As Club 40 Solidarity Antwerpen celebrates five years of sisterhood and solidarity, the organisation has shown that true celebration is not only about looking back at achievements, but also about reaching out to those who need a helping hand.

Happy 5th Anniversary to Club 40 Solidarity Antwerpen and congratulations for turning celebration into an opportunity for compassion and humanitarian support.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

Music legend Dolly Parton dies at 80

25, August 2026

Music legend Dolly Parton dies at 80 0

Dolly Parton, the country music star who rose from grinding poverty in Tennessee to become a rhinestone-studded cultural icon with hits like “Jolene” and “9 to 5,” has died at 80, her family said Tuesday.

Parton was more than a singer — she wrote 3,000 songs, acted in major Hollywood films and donated millions of dollars to charities in her home state and beyond.

She was also an accomplished businesswoman, with her interests spanning from her popular Dollywood theme park to cosmetics, pet apparel, baking mixes and even a truck stop.

“Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus,” her nephew Bryan Seaver said in a video announcing her death on social media.

He said the multiple award-winning artist — known for her glittering style, curvy figure and larger-than-life blonde wigs — had “opened doors for generations of singers, songwriters, musicians, and dreamers from every walk of life.”

The family did not give a cause of death, but Parton had spoken about her recent ill health. Her husband Carl Dean died last year.

A small private funeral service will be held, her representative told People magazine, encouraging fans to leave messages on her website.

Tributes quickly poured in for Parton, who won 10 Grammys and 13 Academy of Country Music (ACM) awards during her long career.

“May her legacy live on through her songs, the lives she touched, and the countless artists she inspired. There will never, ever be another one like her,” the Grand Ole Opry, America’s temple of country music, said on social media.

Her co-stars from the hit 1980 movie “9 to 5,” which sparked her soundtrack smash, expressed their shock.

Oscar winner Jane Fonda said she was “devastated” while Lily Tomlin said only: “No words.”

The news even sparked a rare moment of unity in a country often bitterly at odds over Donald Trump’s presidency, the war against Iran and cultural issues.

Trump ordered the lowering of American flags to half-staff across the United States for a week, calling Parton’s passing a “true loss for millions of people.”

“There has never been anyone like her, and never will,” Trump posted on his Truth Social network.

Democratic former president Bill Clinton called her “one of a kind.”

New York’s Empire State Building was to be lit later Tuesday in pink in the singer’s honor.

Born in 1946 as one of 12 children in rural Tennessee, Parton headed for the country music capital Nashville right after graduating from high school.

By 1967, at age 21, she was among the most recognized figures in American music, having joined Porter Wagoner’s syndicated country music television show that broadcast her voice and face into millions of US homes.

During a prolific career that spanned six decades, Parton penned some 3,000 tunes.

They included “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors” and the iconic ballad “I Will Always Love You,” which became an international success for Whitney Houston.

Releasing 49 studio albums and more than 100 compilation and collaboration albums, she earned the title of “queen of country music.”

Never one to downplay her striking looks, Parton essentially wrote the book on how a woman can rule the airwaves in a male-dominated industry, ultimately becoming an American treasure with songs covered by everyone from Shania Twain to Sinead O’Connor.

“Instant Sainthood,” Jack White, who covered “Jolene” with the White Stripes, wrote on Instagram.

Last year, Parton postponed a series of Las Vegas concerts, citing ongoing health concerns. In May, she canceled them altogether, sparking new fears.

In videos posted to her social media accounts, she said that while treatment for an unspecified illness was going well, she was not ready to perform.

Just last week, she said in a statement to People magazine: “I still have so many things I want to achieve, so I’m gonna keep on working as long as I can to see everything come to life.”

“She brought so many people together, we will all miss her so much,” said Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger.

Source: AFP

Yaoundé: Japan plans 2027 festival to introduce Cameroonians to its culture

21, August 2026

Yaoundé: Japan plans 2027 festival to introduce Cameroonians to its culture 0

Japan is exploring plans for a cultural festival in Cameroon in 2027, as part of a broader effort to expand bilateral ties into the cultural and creative industries.

The proposed festival was a key topic at an Aug. 14, 2026, meeting in Yaoundé between Arts and Culture Minister Bidoung Mkpatt and Japan’s ambassador to Cameroon, Minami Kentaro.

The initiative has yet to be finalized, but it marks a shift in cooperation that has long been dominated by development projects, infrastructure and support for several economic sectors. Tokyo is now seeking to expand its cultural engagement in Cameroon and increase exchanges between the two societies.

The proposed festival is not expected to focus only on the Japanese cultural products best known to Cameroonian audiences, particularly manga and anime. Discussions also cover the promotion of music, traditional arts, contemporary forms of expression and various Japanese cultural practices and traditional skills.

The Japanese Embassy is seeking support from the Ministry of Arts and Culture for the preparation and organization of the event.

Beyond cultural diplomacy

The festival project comes as the two countries are also exploring cooperation in culture-related sectors with the potential to generate economic activity.

Cinema, design, arts and crafts, heritage conservation, digitization and cultural promotion were among the areas identified during the discussions. These sectors could open the way for cooperation that goes beyond cultural promotion to include training, knowledge transfer and the development of creative industries.

Cameroon is particularly interested in drawing on Japan’s experience in heritage conservation and promotion, as well as in sectors such as animation, design and cultural content.

The renewed push for closer cultural ties follows Cameroon’s participation in the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, where the country sought to showcase its heritage, tourism potential and some of its know-how to an international audience.

The Expo gave Cameroon an opportunity to raise its profile in Japan. The festival planned for 2027 would, in turn, provide a platform for presenting Japanese culture to the Cameroonian public.

Cooperation still to be structured

The Ministry of Arts and Culture says it already provides technical support for events organized by the Japanese Embassy in Cameroon. But developing a more structured framework for cooperation will require translating the discussions into concrete projects.

With that in mind, Bidoung Mkpatt proposed establishing a joint technical unit to coordinate and follow up on the various initiatives discussed.

That step will be critical. At this stage, neither the festival’s budget nor its detailed schedule, financing arrangements or participation terms have been specified in the details released so far.

The extent of the new cultural cooperation will therefore depend on the ability of both sides to turn their intentions into lasting programs, particularly in the cultural and creative industries.

The 2027 festival could serve as an early showcase for this new direction. Its significance would be broader if it also serves as an entry point for partnerships in training, heritage digitization, artistic creation and access to cultural markets.

Source: Business in Cameroon

Angelique Kidjo immortalised on Hollywood Walk of Fame

18, August 2026

Angelique Kidjo immortalised on Hollywood Walk of Fame 0

Five-time Grammy winner Angelique Kidjo on Tuesday became the first Black African to be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In a glitzy ceremony under palm trees and picture-perfect California skies, Kidjo was feted by film stars and music industry titans as she unveiled the star on the busy thoroughfare.

“We Africans don’t know what we’ve given to the world,” the 66-year-old said.

“Without us, there’s no music possible on this planet.”

After offering thanks to her team and family, Kidjo erupted into song as those present sat in rapt attention.

Born in Benin, Kidjo has built an international career spanning more than 40 years and 18 albums.

As well as being named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people, she has also been nominated as one of Africa’s 50 most iconic figures by the BBC, and one of the 100 most inspiring people in the world by The Guardian.

Harvey Mason Jr. of the Recording Academy hailed Kidjo as a “rare artist.”

“Your example has elevated our global music community, and your work continues to remind us that music is more than entertainment; it’s connection,” he said.

“This star is a permanent symbol; it’s not going anywhere, and it’s a symbol of your achievements. But your legacy, it lives in the people that you’ve touched, that you’ve inspired, the barriers that you’ve broken, the connections you’ve created all around the world.”

Actor Willem Dafoe praised Kidjo’s immense energy on stage.

“The first time I saw Angelique perform live, I thought her music, her dancing, her commitment were incredible,” the “Platoon” star said.

“She is, without a doubt, the hardest-working woman in show business.”

But, he said, more impressive was her dedication to the humanitarian work of her Batonga Foundation, which strives to empower girls and young women in Africa.

“This is not a token celebrity involvement; it is an extension of what she does with her music. She stirs us, lifts us up, and reminds us that we’re all connected, and that love and understanding is the way.”

Source: AFP

Germany: Mfuni annual convention has kicked off in Mulheim

14, August 2026

Germany: Mfuni annual convention has kicked off in Mulheim 0

The European chapter of the Mfuni Cultural and Development Association (MFUCADA) has kicked off its annual convention and uniform launch in the beautiful German city of Mülheim, bringing together members and supporters in a celebration of culture, unity and community development.

The convention, which began today, will culminate in a grand gala night in Duisburg, where Cameroonians and friends of Manyu culture are expected to come together in their numbers to celebrate the Mfuni community and its cultural heritage.

Speaking on the program Dr. Eta Valerie Ayamba, President of MFUCADA, announced that the gala night will be animated by Eyum Anneh, Manyu Division’s Germany-based cultural ambassador. His participation is expected to add colour and vibrancy to an evening dedicated to culture, entertainment, fellowship and community solidarity.

Mfuni is a village in Eyumojock Subdivision of Manyu Division in Cameroon’s South-West Region, and the European chapter of MFUCADA continues to provide a platform for sons and daughters of the community in the diaspora to preserve their cultural identity while contributing to the development of their home community.

Beyond the celebration, the convention and uniform launch represent an opportunity for Cameroonians in Germany and across Europe to demonstrate solidarity with grassroots community initiatives. Such gatherings help strengthen bonds among Cameroonians abroad, promote cultural heritage and create opportunities for collective development.

Cameroonians, particularly sons and daughters of Manyu and friends of the Mfuni community, are therefore being called upon to come out en masse and support MFUCADA. Their presence at the gala will not only make the celebration more colourful but will also send a strong message of unity, pride in Cameroonian culture and commitment to community development.

From Mülheim to Duisburg, the MFUCADA European chapter is inviting everyone to be part of what promises to be a memorable celebration of Mfuni, Manyu and Cameroonian cultural heritage.

Come out, support the Mfuni community, celebrate our culture and make the gala night a resounding success!

By Soter Agbaw-Ebai

MECA Manchester welcomes Superstar Maxy Manorh

10, August 2026

MECA Manchester welcomes Superstar Maxy Manorh 0

It was organised at very short notice, but there was nothing small about the warmth of the welcome when members of the Manyu Elements Cultural Association (MECA) Manchester gathered on Sunday the 9th of August 2026 to receive global Manyu music star Maxy Manorh. With little time for elaborate preparations, members of MECA Manchester did what strong communities often do best: they came together.

A barbecue and lunch were hastily arranged at the home of the association’s president, Chief Richard Agbor, transforming an ordinary afternoon into a memorable celebration of music, friendship and culture. Members arrived proudly in their MECA uniforms, bringing colour, identity and a strong sense of belonging to the occasion. Food and drinks were aplenty.

Maxy Manorh whose music and international profile have made him one of Cameroon’s celebrated cultural ambassadors, treated his hosts to a few songs. His impromptu performance delighted MECA members, who enjoyed the rare opportunity to experience the star’s music in such an intimate and relaxed setting.

For MECA Manchester, the day was more than meeting a famous Manyu son. It was an opportunity to recognise an artist who has carried elements of Manyu identity and culture through his music to audiences far beyond Cameroon for the last ten years.

As a gesture of appreciation, the association presented Maxy Manorh with an envelope containing a token from its members, recognising his contribution to the promotion and preservation of Manyu culture. The gesture reflected something deeper about the Manyu community in Britain: a determination to remain connected to home and to celebrate those who promote its heritage.

For Maxy, who is due to leave the United Kingdom for Cameroon this week, the Manchester reception was particularly touching.“It was amazing being with my brothers and sisters in Manchester,” he said. He noted that the occasion was especially memorable because it was the first time a Manyu group had formally received him in a country when he had not travelled to specifically perform for them.

Chief Richard Agbor, president of MECA Manchester, told Cameroon Concord News that he was immensely proud of the men and women he leads. For him, the speed with which members responded to the invitation demonstrated the character of the association. At very short notice, people adjusted their plans, put on their uniforms and came together to give Maxy Manorh a reception worthy of a son of Manyu who continues to promote the culture through his music.

Culture does not preserve itself. It requires people willing to give their time, open their wallets and wear their identity proudly. Across Britain, Manyu sons and daughters continue to build communities that maintain strong links with their ancestral homeland. Organisations such as MECA Manchester provide not only fellowship but also a platform through which culture can endure across generations.

The MECA Manchester impromptu barbecue and gathering for Maxy Manorh was a simple but powerful example Manyu at its best.

By Isong Asu

London Bureau Chief

Nyene Mawn in Germany: Manyu Women leading, Manyu girls rising, Manyu communities thriving

10, August 2026

Nyene Mawn in Germany: Manyu Women leading, Manyu girls rising, Manyu communities thriving 0

The Manyu Women’s International Association, fondly known as Nyene Mawn, has once again demonstrated what can be achieved when women come together with purpose, vision and an unwavering commitment to the wellbeing of their community.

The recently concluded mini summit in Duisburg in the Federal Republic of Germany was more than a gathering of women. It was a celebration of solidarity, leadership, service and the enduring strength of Manyu women. The election of Maureen Tabe as the new President-General has added another important chapter to the association’s remarkable journey.

At a time when societies across the world are increasingly recognizing that the future of any nation depends significantly on how it educates, protects and empowers its girls, Nyene Mawn deserves particular commendation for its contribution to the girl child in Cameroon. By supporting initiatives that encourage girls to dream, learn, develop confidence and become responsible members of society, the association is investing not merely in individuals, but in the future of Cameroon itself.

A girl who is educated is a woman empowered. A woman who is empowered can transform a family, strengthen a community and influence a nation.

This is why the work of Nyene Mawn is so important.

Perhaps even more inspiring is the manner in which the association continues to lead by example. Leadership is not simply about holding positions or making declarations; it is about service, responsibility, integrity and demonstrating the values one wishes to see in others. Through its activities, its commitment to community and its emphasis on the advancement of women and girls, Nyene Mawn is showing younger generations that leadership is both a privilege and a responsibility.

The Duisburg summit also reflected the association’s appreciation of faith, culture and community. Ending the gathering with a Holy Mass celebrated together with the Cameroon Catholic Community in Mülheim was a beautiful reminder that service to humanity is strengthened by fellowship, humility and gratitude to God. It brought a fitting spiritual dimension to a gathering dedicated to unity, renewal and the future.

The election of Maureen Tabe as President-General therefore comes at an important moment. She inherits not merely an office, but a legacy of women who have chosen to make a difference. Her leadership will undoubtedly carry expectations, but it also comes with tremendous opportunities to build upon the achievements of those who came before her.

We of the Cameroon Concord Group congratulate Maureen Tabe most warmly and wish her wisdom, courage, strength and God’s guidance as she takes up the mantle of leadership. May her tenure be marked by unity, inclusiveness, meaningful service and even greater opportunities for women and girls, particularly those in Cameroon.

To Nyene Mawn, we say: keep leading, keep serving and keep inspiring.

Your greatest legacy may not be found only in the programs you organize or the achievements you record, but in the young girls who look at the example you set and begin to believe that they, too, can lead, serve and change their communities.

When women rise together, generations rise with them.

Congratulations, Nyene Mawn. Congratulations, President-General Maureen Tabe. May the journey ahead be fruitful, impactful and blessed.

By Chi Prudence Asong with additional reporting from Soter Agbaw-Ebai

New Bell: The notorious Cameroonian prison with its own record label

26, July 2026

New Bell: The notorious Cameroonian prison with its own record label 0

New Bell – a notorious prison in Douala, Cameroon – is a city within a city.

The facility has its own “taxis” (inmates who whizz through congested courtyards on foot to hand deliver messages), its own law enforcement (burly prisoners who help stretched guards police the facility) and market (a string of stalls where convicts sell and buy goodies, like fried cassava and beignet pastries).

Basically, the occupants of New Bell have adapted the jail’s slack laws to work for them. The clearest example of this spirit is Jail Time Records, an on-site music studio and label making mini stars out of the most talented prisoners.

Empereur, the feared leader of gangs inside and outside of the prison, has amassed 24,000 YouTube views with a music video filmed entirely in prison.

Songs from the inmates have gained fans from as far away as South Africa, the US and Argentina, while earlier this year Jail Time Records put on a huge concert for the prisoners in New Bell’s courtyard.

“It’s this instrument of resistance… where we can really share friendship, love and our voices can be heard,” Steve Happi, the former inmate who co-founded Jail Time Records, tells the BBC’s Talking Movies programme.

“We don’t think anymore about the four walls – we find the freedom.”

The Jail Time Records studio is rudimentary – a small, sweaty recording booth attached to a room inhabited by a solitary computer.

But it is also the site of great catharsis and creativity, as per a recent, acclaimed documentary named after the studio.

Directed by Happi and Italian artist Dione Roach, his Jail Time Records co-founder, it was filmed in New Bell over six years.

Last month it won three prizes, including best documentary feature, at New York’s Tribeca film festival.

In the film, a prisoner named Stone raps into the studio’s microphone: “Heart of stone, it’s war. My senses shatter like broken glass.

“I’m closed and tight like a cell door. No solid ground I slip like a fish.”

Artists Equity Rapper Stone uses a computer. Two men watch him.
Stone (R), a former soldier in the presidential guard, raps and produces music with Jail Time Records

Stone, who used to be a soldier in Cameroon’s presidential guard, was sentenced to 10 years in New Bell for robbery and illegal possession of firearms. He insists he is not guilty.

The film captures him trying – often unsuccessfully – to reach his young daughter Maira on the phone.

“It’s been a long time. She needs to hear my voice from time to time, so she doesn’t forget about her father,” he says in a voice message to a family member, after failing to get through to Maira yet again.

The music video for Heart of Stone is a typical Jail Time Records affair. The production value is high, storytelling is captivating and hordes of fellow inmates get involved as actors and crew.

“The music that comes out of there is amazing,” says Taika Waititi, the New Zealand Oscar-winning director who, with his wife, the singer Rita Ora, served as an executive producer for the Jail Time Records documentary.

“Just in terms of the power of art in relation to redemption and what that can mean to someone who, you know, some of these people are in prison for life. I think having an outlet is an incredibly powerful and humane thing,” he says.

Jail Time Records was founded in 2018, when Roach volunteered for a non-profit organisation running events inside New Bell.

During a dance class for the prisoners, a crew of rappers took over the microphone and began freestyling. Impressed by their performance, she asked the prison authorities for permission to start up a studio.

The powers that be were receptive and so Roach enlisted Happi to run the studio as a producer and sound engineer.

Artists Equity Inmates form a crowd in the courtyard - some of them can be seen standing on a corrugated iron roof.
The inmates attempt to secure an optimal view for the Jail Time Records concert in February

According to Happi, he ended up in New Bell following a family argument over what should be done with his late father’s body.

Amid the dispute, his aunt, a high court judge, allegedly arranged for him to be thrown into jail for killing his father. He was acquitted of the crime two years later, Jail Time Records says.

In 2022, Happi, Roach and the prisoners released an album named Jail Time Vol 1. As is customary for Jail Time Records’ music, half the profit from the album’s sale went to the artists and the rest was reinvested into the label.

The studio’s survival is paramount to many of the artists, especially given New Bell’s bitter environment.

In 2022, Human Rights Watch reported that New Bell was housing 4,700 prisoners within its crumbling walls – four times its capacity.

The prison’s packed population, along with its unsanitary conditions, enabled cholera to spread rapidly during an outbreak four years ago, rights groups have said. At least six inmates died from the disease.

New Bell also has a reputation for violence. In 2008, guards shot 16 inmates dead during an attempted breakout.

Prisoners also attack and intimidate each other – the documentary captures Empereur, who is serving 10 years for multiple crimes, shaking down a bewildered young inmate for a necklace chain and some flip-flops.

Asked if the Jail Time Records project might glorify Empereur, the son of a traditional Douala chief, and other criminals who have committed violent crimes, Roach tells the BBC: “The process we’re doing is a rehabilitation process, basically.

“We enter the prison without any judgment and it’s the only way we can really approach this kind of work.

“Music, as with any creative process, is also a way of self-discovery… coming to terms with things you’ve done and hopefully changing for the better”.

Getty Images for Tribeca Festival Taika Waititi, Dione Roach and Steve Happi pose for a photo in front of a Tribeca Festival step and repeat
Former New Bell prisoner Steve Happi (R) directed the documentary with Dione Roach (C) and Taika Waititi (L) was an executive producer

The prison authorities appear to share this view.

“They were really welcoming of the project. Cameroon is a super musical country… everyone loves music,” Happi says, adding that the head of the prison attended this year’s concert and proceeded to dance with the performers.

With official support, Jail Time Records has been able to flourish, offering opportunities to more prisoners, including those in New Bell’s women’s wing.

Jeje, Jail Time Records first female artist, made her debut in 2022 with brooding Afrobeats song Show Me The Way.

“Nobody show me the way, nobody show me the way, I did it all alone,” sings Jeje, who was jailed after stealing money and running away from an allegedly abusive uncle.

Jail Time Records Jeje, a female prisoner, in a T-shirt standing in a prison yard with a guard tower behind her.
Jeje recorded her Afrobeats song in the yard of New Bell’s women’s wing

As well as working with the women’s wing, Jail Time Records have expanded their project outside New Bell and Cameroon.

Roach and Happi set up a studio 1,000 miles (1,600km) away in 2023, in the central prison of Burkina Faso’s capital city, Ouagadougou.

Jail Time Records hopes it can replicate the success of the original New Bell studio, with its accompanying label, music video production arm and now, award-winning documentary.

The film ends with an “in memoriam” sequence; a tribute to six prisoners who died while the Jail Time Records project has been running.

New Bell may appear to be endlessly bleak, but according to Happi, music provides the inmates with a “lantern for a brighter future”.

“Before that, they had the stubborn mentality: it’s them against the world,” he says.

“They feel now important – they feel like they have a place in the society.”

Culled from the BBC

MECA Leicester hosts first-ever 3-Day Manyu cultural event

18, June 2026

MECA Leicester hosts first-ever 3-Day Manyu cultural event 0

The Manyu Elements Cultural and Development Association (MECA) Leicester chapter made history on 12 June 2026 by hosting the first-ever three-day cultural festival dedicated to celebrating the rich heritage and traditions of the Manyu people in the United Kingdom.

Held under the motto “Unity, Togetherness and Peace,” the landmark event brought together members of the Manyu community and guests from across the UK for a weekend of culture, education, entertainment and development-focused discussions.

The festivities commenced on Friday, 12 June, with a vibrant cultural evening led by EKPE UK. The occasion was further enriched by captivating performances from Wanawawampke, Macuda UK, and the Dancing Duo Monikim Group of Leicester. The diversity of the participating groups reflected MECA Leicester’s commitment to promoting unity through cultural diversity and fostering stronger ties among Cameroonian communities in the diaspora.

One of the highlights of the evening was the “Manyu Kids Have Got Talent” showcase, which featured children performing live in various Manyu mother tongues. The performances left guests thoroughly impressed, not only by the children’s confidence and talent but also by their remarkable ability to communicate and perform in their ancestral languages. The showcase served as a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving cultural identity among younger generations.

The evening also featured an insightful and educational presentation by renowned Professor of Law, Sesekou Nelson Enonchong, who traced the origins of EKPE and explored its historical significance and enduring role within Bayang culture.

More than 250 guests were treated to an authentic culinary experience featuring some of Manyu’s most cherished traditional dishes, including NkụBétor, Squeezing, Fufu and Eru, and Tatchot Soup. The evening culminated in the unveiling of MECA Leicester’s new uniform, followed by a special cultural performance from the Leicester Monikim Group and a guest appearance by Ayuk the Artist.

The celebrations continued on Saturday, 13 June, with the signature Gala Night held at the magnificent Empire Hall in Leicester. The gala attracted approximately 350 guests and was organised under the theme: “A Bright Future for Manyu Division.”

In his welcome address, the President of MECA Leicester, Nfor John Bawak, expressed gratitude to all participating groups and organisations that answered the association’s invitation. He emphasised the importance of a united MECA UK in preserving, promoting and advancing the development of Manyu both in the diaspora and back home. He also highlighted the value of establishing the cultural weekend as an annual event rotating among MECA chapters across the United Kingdom.

As part of this vision, Nfor John Bawak formally passed the torch to Nfor Takang of MECA Coventry, inviting Coventry to host the next cultural festival in 2027. In accepting the challenge, Nfor Takang commended MECA Leicester, describing it as one of the strongest and most dynamic MECA chapters in the UK, while encouraging Leicester to consider hosting a future MECA UK national event within the next three years.

The gala also generated significant donations, which will support community development projects across the four subdivisions of Manyu over the next twelve months through initiatives coordinated by MECA Leicester.

The historic three-day celebration concluded on Sunday with a community barbecue and a final cultural showcase by MECA Leicester members. Guests were treated to a variety of expertly prepared barbecue delicacies, good music, and fellowship as the organisers thanked participants and visitors for their support and contribution to the success of the weekend.

The event not only celebrated the richness of Manyu culture but also demonstrated the power of unity, cultural preservation, and community collaboration in strengthening the bonds between Manyu people across the United Kingdom and beyond.

American musician Oliver Tree killed in mid-air helicopter collision in Brazil

15, June 2026

American musician Oliver Tree killed in mid-air helicopter collision in Brazil 0

American alt-pop singer and internet personality Oliver Tree was aboard one of the two helicopters that collided mid-air in Brazil, leaving six dead, a police source said.

The alternative singer and internet personality was listed as one of six people on the manifest of one aircraft shared by the source, who said the victims could not be formally identified yet as they were badly burned in the crash.

The helicopters collided mid-air on Sunday morning in the western suburb of Rio de Janeiro called Recreio dos Bandeirantes before plummeting into the parking lot of an electric car dealership, setting ablaze around 20 cars, firefighters said.

One of the helicopters was carrying five people, and the other only the pilot. There were no survivors.

The passengers on the same helicopter as Tree included a Brazilian music producer, Argentine video director and Argentine YouTuber Gaspar Prim, known online as “Gaspi”.

The 32-year-old Tree – with a distinctive bowl haircut and eccentric, meme-worthy internet persona – was known for hits such as “Life Goes On”, “Miss You”, and “Alien Boy”.

He has over 11 million monthly listeners on Spotify, with his top songs listened to over 700 million times.

In recent days his Instagram account featured videos of him in Brazil, where he performed in Sao Paulo on June 6 on his tour of over 30 countries.

His next show was due in Lisbon on July 1.

Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere said earlier that there were “foreign nationals on board one of the aircraft”, without giving further details.

Source: France 24

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