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The entry level into presidential elections in Cameroon is very low.
You either create a political party, or collect a few hundred signatures of "dignitaries or public figures", pay a $10,000 refundable deposit (you get $60,000 in return) and then you are in business.
Many men, cash strapped by the faltering economy in the impovrished West African nation stay awake at night doing the same math. It is a very attractive proposition. Few however decide to follow through, for fear of blocking any future hope of advancement in society once they take on the gargantuan state-party machinery that the incumbent, 78 year old Paul Biya has put in place over the past 35 years.
A certain gentleman who goes by the name Jean Njeunga seems to have had enough of Paul Biya and his cronies. He is taking the bull by the horn and is a candidate for president of Cameroon. The polls open tomorrow, Sunday the 9th of October 2011, and Mr Njenga hopes he will get the votes of Cameroonians.
A local TV station - Equinoxe TV - has been holding interviews with candidates. The sessions seem like a brawl, in which the mostly precocious "journalists" pounce upon the invitee with fervor. Most fall into the trap and don't speak in a calm and collected manner. They leave the studios terribly bloodied, and looking as very unlikely winners of the presidential elections.
It must have been with great joy that Mr Njeunga headed for the Equinoxe TV studios recently for an interview. The result was probably the very first viral video out of Cameroon. He succeeded in one thing. Making himself, and by extension, his family, friends and congregation, the butt of so many jokes on the internet.
There is a face book page dedicated to his missteps in language (both form and substance), his expressions, his lack of insight, and general cluelesness about basic facts of life such as the surface area of Cameroon, the country he intends to govern.
The lack of quality home grown comedy from Cameroon has pushed many Cameroonians to substitute Mr Jean Njeunga for a comedian. He has been compared to the late Jean Michel Kankan, a very polular comedian who spoke with a heavy accent, was gauche, and loved money. The original video of Mr Njeunga's interview has gone viral with many repeat viewers. You cannot get enough of the man, and you just could not make this story up.
Talk about Jean Njeunga has been so rife that he seems to be drowning out the other serious candidates like Ms Kah Walla, in this election. With less than 24 hours to go, Mr Njeunga seems to be the ultimate upset candidate, with his name recognition growing in leaps and bounds.
While Cameroonians may be having a schadenfreude moment - having fun at the expense of others, they should not forget that it is the perception of deep-seated corruption and the lack of growth opportunities that push an otherwise respectable church elder like Mr Jean Njeunga to ridicule himself.
It won't be a surprise to see Mr Njeunga raking in more than 1% of the votes after he went viral online, but the big question is, how will the pre ordained winner Paul Biya compensate such a lack-luster candidate for his efforts? Maybe build a stall for him in Marche Mokolo to hawk his wares?
The entry level into presidential elections in Cameroon is very low.
You either create a political party, or collect a few hundred signatures of "dignitaries or public figures", pay a $10,000 refundable deposit (you get $60,000 in return) and then you are in business.
Many men, cash strapped by the faltering economy in the impovrished West African nation stay awake at night doing the same math. It is a very attractive proposition. Few however decide to follow through, for fear of blocking any future hope of advancement in society once they take on the gargantuan state-party machinery that the incumbent, 78 year old Paul Biya has put in place over the past 35 years.
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| Jean Njeunga - "Comme comment...?" |
A certain gentleman who goes by the name Jean Njeunga seems to have had enough of Paul Biya and his cronies. He is taking the bull by the horn and is a candidate for president of Cameroon. The polls open tomorrow, Sunday the 9th of October 2011, and Mr Njenga hopes he will get the votes of Cameroonians.
A local TV station - Equinoxe TV - has been holding interviews with candidates. The sessions seem like a brawl, in which the mostly precocious "journalists" pounce upon the invitee with fervor. Most fall into the trap and don't speak in a calm and collected manner. They leave the studios terribly bloodied, and looking as very unlikely winners of the presidential elections.
It must have been with great joy that Mr Njeunga headed for the Equinoxe TV studios recently for an interview. The result was probably the very first viral video out of Cameroon. He succeeded in one thing. Making himself, and by extension, his family, friends and congregation, the butt of so many jokes on the internet.
There is a face book page dedicated to his missteps in language (both form and substance), his expressions, his lack of insight, and general cluelesness about basic facts of life such as the surface area of Cameroon, the country he intends to govern.
The lack of quality home grown comedy from Cameroon has pushed many Cameroonians to substitute Mr Jean Njeunga for a comedian. He has been compared to the late Jean Michel Kankan, a very polular comedian who spoke with a heavy accent, was gauche, and loved money. The original video of Mr Njeunga's interview has gone viral with many repeat viewers. You cannot get enough of the man, and you just could not make this story up.
Talk about Jean Njeunga has been so rife that he seems to be drowning out the other serious candidates like Ms Kah Walla, in this election. With less than 24 hours to go, Mr Njeunga seems to be the ultimate upset candidate, with his name recognition growing in leaps and bounds.
While Cameroonians may be having a schadenfreude moment - having fun at the expense of others, they should not forget that it is the perception of deep-seated corruption and the lack of growth opportunities that push an otherwise respectable church elder like Mr Jean Njeunga to ridicule himself.
It won't be a surprise to see Mr Njeunga raking in more than 1% of the votes after he went viral online, but the big question is, how will the pre ordained winner Paul Biya compensate such a lack-luster candidate for his efforts? Maybe build a stall for him in Marche Mokolo to hawk his wares?
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