TIPTOPSTARS

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!

RELATED STORY:

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

Slightly above two weeks after the Cameroon Film Industry, CFI elective GA that took place in the Cameroon’s capital Yaounde, Waa Musi, the former president of the now defunct Caretaker Committee has reacted. According to Waa, the Electoral College violated the initial consensus of the electorate which held the election would respect a list system. He is consequently convening another GA during which he is going to put things straight. It is still unclear if he recognizes the new team. We contacted Waa for his reaction and made sure we published his views the way they came – unedited, uninterrupted. We also, for purposes of balance, talked with the elected maiden board chair Otia Vitalis to get his own side of the story. Without any comments, we are placing both interviews side-by-side. Waa talked with Editor Ernest Kanjo!
Ernest Kanjo (EK): The CFI GA which the Caretaker Committee organized has come and gone, what is your initial reaction as the person who was at the helm?
Waa Musi (WM) : TIPTOPSTARS would not have  been the forum for to give my initial reaction. I expected the head of the electoral college to have given the floor for my reaction at the assembly. I’m sure because of the mob pressure, he didn’t fine it necessary and so huged down the purpose of that act. Nevertheless, l think the electoral board violated the preliminary concensus of the electorate which was to pass on by the list system. The Constitution of the CFI does not allow for that.  I would acknowledge that Otia Vitalis had an urge over Waa Musi. I appreciated him and congratulated him on that, but that wasn’t CFI business.
EK : The industry now has a board and a chairman, do you buy the concept of this new structure?

WM : Not a board - the Board of the CFI comprises of  members, voted through a list system in a CFI assembly who are representative of the different arms of the industry. Furthermore, a CFI assembly comprises of its members {Ndr : he put members in capital letters}. This brings us back to the key question of the day.This is almost the same mistake which was purportedly made at the constituent meeting in Buea where artists where appointed into the board and not elected.  

EK : Do you promise your support to the new board, as an experienced film administrator? If yes, how will you do that?

WM : I will do so to Otia’s team after handing over to him in a constituted CFI assembly. This would be re-convened for a later date, still in Yaounde. CFI members would be invited to this assembly to be witnesses.
EK: Do you mean you are organizing another GA?
WM: The last GA wasn't respecter of CFI objectives.
EK: When and under whose supervision?

WM: The constitution in Article 16 allows for a reconvening in a fortnight in case issues need to be redressed. On the basis of the dissolution document of the Caretaker Committee, it was mentioned that, in a situation where the elections do not respect the constitution of the CFI which is to be conducted by a list system, the caretaker committee continues to exercise its rule until such is achieved. 

EK: Do you mean you have not handed over yet?

For obvious reasons members of CFI have a discomfort. But this I’m willing to do so as soon as we meet. These amongst others are the issues I’m talking about.

EK: Do you recognize the new team?

WM: I recognize the fact that Otia had an urge over Waa MUSI, not the recommended list system which allows for CFI elections. That is why I earlier on said this was no longer a CFI business. You must be asking your self how this issue of individual candidates came up not the list system. That is why the assembly quarrels the decision of the moderator of the elections.

EK: Will fresh elections be organized?

WM: Until now, I’m not sure. Otia and his team must be ready to take over the helm of CFI as soon as CFI Members meet soon. These proofs are quite evident.

EK : You mentioned there were irregularities, how exactly did this occur?

WM : Like l earlier on said, there is no house or structure without irregularities. My intention is that CFI must continue in its objectives and purpose which cannot be violated by whoever, call them perpetrators.  In a state of law we  CFI members have a right to freedom of expression which is what I’m interpreting. We need to be very careful the way we intend to forge ahead with the CFI…

EK : Your committee organized the GA, how come you complain there were irregularities?

WM : I’m not sure if you are trying to tell me we of the organising committee were God to know unidentified intruders would invade the hall. As such, we had our consta by the bailiff whom we had invited and let the deliberations. Based on that, the outcome of the re-convening of this assembly is the purpose of this mishap.

EK : What advice do you have for the new team in place and the rest of the members of the film family?

WM : I will address them at the assembly in the presence of CFI members.  They are invited to be present.

EK : Thank you Waa Musi.

WM : You’re welcome !

Related Story:

“Waa Musi has no authority to convoke a GA of CFI” - Otia Vitalis, CFI board chair

Like its title indicates, Maybelle Boma’s Cameroon Unite is an ensemble of the ingredients necessary to symbolize unity. Amongst the patriotism-driven musical productions, it stands distinguished.