TIPTOPSTARS

“I’m really pleased and at the same time surprised by all these. I didn’t know I’d get this much from people, you know. I feel really accomplished and fulfilled. It tells me, there is something that I’m doing right.”

Pandita told us this, when we contacted Cincinatti, USA-based singer to get her feeling after what has been described as an impressive reaction from the audience to the Friday April 5 release of her new gospel single video.

Just a couple of days after she emerged with her Life Don Better video, Pandita has created a record feedback commonly not common to Cameroonian audience. In fact, soon after the ‘fiche technique’ (didactic presentation of crew and other technical aspects), production photos and the video itself went online TIPTOPSTARS Friday, reactions went underway, flowing in unstoppably. In a short while, My Life Don Better had registered a good number and as well, scoring quite an impressive number of hits.

“The sky is your limit sweet heart.” – “That’s awesome, the light of God is upon you.” – “Great job Kamer lady, taking our industry to another level and praising God at the same time!” – “May you go from glory to glory in Jesus’ mighty name.” – “I love this song so much and the video is uplifting. May God bless you double double” – “Keep on girl, great music, it’s your own redeem, not copied from the Nigerian redeem.” These are example of such heart-warming messages Pandita has had from her audience so far via TIPTOPSTARS.

We pried again to know why the gospel artiste who has been living I Ohio since 2010 opted for TIPTOPSTARS to launch her new video. “Truly I’d say TIPTOPSTARS is one of the biggest names as far as a Cameroonian online magazine production is concerned. TIPTOPSTARS is very popular, credible, widely recognized and trusted. Also, the magazine has been very supportive to me and my career, combine all these together, you know. Based on these, I did not think of any better option,” the fast-rising gospel singer told Editor Ernest Kanjo.

Concurrently, there has been a similar ambiance on other social network including the famous Facebook. Friend, fans, music lovers, observers, etc, have been praising Pandita’s effort, liking and sharing the new video as they know best. To many, the young singer is focused, visionary, talented and after all, highly favoured by the Almighty God.
         
Pandita told us further: “I thank everyone for their support. I’m truly grateful and to anyone who took time to watch the video, share, like and comment, God bless you. I pray you went home with something be it an encouragement, a word of praise to God or an up-lift in your spirit. I also love to get more feedback and keep spreading the word. I love all and God bless all.”

Meanwhile, the Life Don Better video is just a couple of days old in circulation. It is recorded in Maryland, USA and directed by Wale Champion.

We purposely didn’t want to let his cat out of his bag when we first interviewed painter Nanje John on this site. He had, while dexterously rushing his brush over the board been carefully transforming a well written story into a cinematographically delicious piece of work. The said movie, In The Closet is the result of this behind-the-scene task and the artist is ready to serve it to his audience soon. We are now certain about one thing – Nanje jacks in everything and exceptionally masters them all. We reached the 1.70m-tall polyvalent artist to tell us more about the up-coming movie. He talked to our man in Belgium, Titus Banyoh. Excerpts!

Coincidentally, the first interview Otia Vitalis, the board chair of the Cameroon Film industry CFI is granting to TIPTOPSTARS after taking office is a reaction to the one from Waa Musi, his running match at the March 23 elective GA. TO Otia, the new order stands and his team is already on the ground. We contacted the new team pilote to source his own side of the story, following the announcement from Waa Musi that he would be re-convening the GA in Yaounde on a date to be made known. Just like we did for Waa Musi’s views, those of Otia Vitalis were not edited. It is to ensure balance that we talked with both men. Without any comments, we are placing both interviews side-by-side. Otia talked with Editor Ernest Kanjo!                                                    
Ernest Kanjo (EK): You just became the first ever board chair of CFI, what is your initial impression?

Otia Vitalis (OV): I feel much relieved because CFI has finally come back to its rightful owners – the members. They now have a possibility to build it and give it the shape they want.

EK: Your main challenger in the election says there were irregularities, accusing the electoral commission of violating the consensus of the electorate, which was voting through a list system and describes what transpired as a non-CFI business, your reaction to that…

OV: This is strange to me, because he single-handedly organized the general assembly, laid down the rules, paid the security to guard the place, chose the electoral college, etc. How can he say that there were irregularities? But each time that there was confusion, we were called up to agree or disagree. That’s how we continued until after the counting of the ballots and he moved over to me and said congrats. We hugged each other and that was it. I was so surprised to hear this strange uttering from him the day after. I will advise you to also talk to Dr Fai Tangem Donatus who was heading the Electoral College. I can assure you, you will be disagreeably surprised by the declarations he will make.

EK: He also says the board of CFI is comprised of people who are members of CFI, probably insinuating that some of the people who make up your team, if not all are not registered members of CFI. Please react to this.

OV: Again I will say that he organized the general assembly and brought in the security. I suppose this was to check these excesses. But if he allowed all those who were there from the beginning till the end, only to complain the day after, then I’m still to understand him.

EK: Lastly, Waa Musi says he will hand over to you at a CFI constituted assembly slated for Yaounde on a later date. Are you aware or part of such an arrangement?

OV: Waa Musi has no authority to convoke a GA of CFI as it stands now. In fact he cannot convene any CFI meeting as far as I know.

EK: What are the challenges your team has met and are ready to deal with?

OV: We are already on the field to clean the shit that has been stacking there all this while. We are already working on the constitution to propose to the general assembly. We are creating new ties and rebuilding trust. I can assure you that CFI will never be the same. Everybody has a place and a contribution to make. You Mr Kanjo, I know what stuff you are made of, I know the love you have for this industry, this is the moment for you to come to the table with your contribution. Yes you have a place, every other stakeholder does.

EK: When should the industry expected the much-talked about production code.

OV: The constitutional committee that we have put in place is working on that too. We had a proposal from Ancestor. It is very useful.

EK: Thanks for talking to us.

OV: It’s my pleasure!

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“The Electoral College violated the consensus, the GA will be reconvened” - Waa Musi, former president of defunct CFI Caretaker Committee