TIPTOPSTARS - ONLINE MAGAZINE Array “I felt my stardom for once at Fix It” - Solange Yijika, top-selling Cameroonian actress

Dust is yet is to settle on the FIX IT show which Cameroon’s sea-side resort of Limbe hosted on April 21, 2012. It will be remembered as the most talked-about celebrity event that created an indelible impact on the Cameroonian contemporary showbiz landscape. The Sama and Pride initiative went beyond just ordinary star-to-star encounter. It was a lesson that taught Cameroon how to gratefully recognize and honour its creative artists, many of whom have given the country an enviable representation abroad.

Back to the event! TIPTOPSTARS peeped into FIX IT from afar and took particular interest in movie stars who as others enjoyed a red carpet treatment. We focused on Solange Yijika, easily described as one of the most desired actresses in Cameroon today. Soon after the FIX IT show, Editor Ernest Kanjo sought to know what the movie star thought about the celebrity event. Here are excerpts of the brief chat he had with Yijika o the line to Yaounde!

Ernest Kanjo (EK): Solange, we hear you are back in Yaounde after fixing it in Limbe over the weekend…

Solange Yijika (SY): Oh yes Ernest, I’m back in town. I’m gad I was one of the fixers..hahahaha!

EK: Now, tell us, what kind of treatment did you receive as a star at the event?

SY: Total celeb treatment. Cameras were all over me, fans hailed, then pressmen flanged me with interviews. For once, I received an Oscars-like treatment in my own country. It was great.

EK: What was particularly impressive about the FIX IT?

SY: I was particularly stroke by the treatment that was given the artists. Like I said earlier, it’s rare in our context to see artists, especially the younger ones being adored the way they were last Saturday. It happened at the Fix It show and I noticed how elated they were. This kind of raised their morales and each of them, in their various rights will definitely work harder to stay in that status. I loved that scenario.

EK: What was your general impression about the initiative?
SY: Positive! It was good kick-off. Fix It has laid a solid foundation. Otherwise, it was a professionally-organized event and I think guests enjoyed every moment of the show.

EK: What do you think can be an added impetus to the FIX It which we hear will now become a regular event?

SY: We need more media exposure to the event to attract the attention of Cameroonians. I trust the organizational aptitude of Sama Ndango and Pride and understand that they have drawn initial lessons from Fix It One. I’m therefore convinced the next edition will be a come-and-see.

EK: Would you encourage many of such events?

SY: Definitely, I mean like every other day. We need more of such events to keep our industry on the move.

EK: What would you tell the organizers?

SY: Great job and thumbs up to Sama and Pride! They are two great young Cameroonians we should be proud of. I admire their courage and knack for showbiz. They have been doing so much already.

EK: Your impression about Sama Ndango...

SY: Sama Ndango is the kind of Cameroonian we need in a time like this. I very much appreciate his guts to dare something like this, with little or no support from the powers that be. He'll always be appreciated, celebrated and remembered for this laudable initiative.

EK: We thank you very much for this brief chat Solange.

SY: It’s my pleasure Ernest. Keep doing the great work we know you’ve always done. I appreciate.