BY SIMON NDIVE KALLA
The government delegate to the Limbe city council and vision bearer of Limbe FESTAC, Motanga Andrew Monjimba has announced to the public that this year’s Limbe Festival of Arts and Culture, Limbe FESTAC will come with many major innovations, amongst which is the added drive to promote national integration and the spirit of living together of Cameroons wherever they may find themselves.
This came at a press briefing last Monday, at the city council premises with key stakeholders present. The festival will run from April 7-14 2018, and for these eight days friendship and togetherness shall be celebrated.
This fifth edition of the festival shall be like non other before, as it is accompanied by celebrations marking the 160 anniversary of the discovery Victoria, now Limbe, by Alfred Saker in 1858.
Motanga happily thanked and congratulated the entire population of Limbe on their firm support, sense of responsibility and maturity shown since the first edition of the festival 2014.
“Through Limbe FESTAC we have been able to show the nation and the world that national integration and above all the peaceful living together of our diverse communities find true expressions in this city of friendship” Motanga said.
He equally appreciated past and current Fako SDOs for their personal involvement in the organization of the festival as well as key partners like SONARA and CDC, for their commitment towards the cultural jamboree each year.
The vision bearer further stressed on the importance of Limbe FESTAC stating clearly that it is the only cultural festival in Cameroon that is not organized on tribal lines, “it’s the only cultural festival that brings Cameroonians from different cultural heritage as well as other African countries to celebrate and expose their cultural riches in one event”.
The vision bearer emphasized that the festival was born out of the responsibility of the municipality to entertain its dwellers, and therefore cautioned that “Limbe FESTAC is not a money making event, neither is it a festival for organisers to line their pockets”.
He appealed to the population that the festival is “their thing”and urged them to seize the opportunity to massively participate and showcase their culture.
“If there is one worry I still have, it is the lukewarm attitude of the business community within and beyond towards Limbe FESTAC. I am still at a loss to understand this trickling in sponsorship put side by side with the grandeur and magnitude of Limbe FESTAC.” Motanga Andrew said, while adding that it’s more disturbing when festivals and events of lesser magnitudes of Limbe FESTAC get mouthwatering cheques from these same companies.
This year’s Limbe FESTAC is coming with major innovations, like cultural fashion parades, special prizes for the three best cultural groups involving children, female canoe race and other surprises.
Also, the Miss Limbe beauty pageant will be extended to non-indigenes resident in Limbe.
The steering committee chairman hinted that no stone will be left unturned in ensuring the perfect security of the population during the festival.
Miss Lilian Awamba who represented the SDO for Fako promised total support of the administration to the Limbe FESTAC, she called on the entire population to put all hands on deck for the success of the festival.
Similar words came from Fako East MP Hon. EtombiIkome Gladys as well as mayors of Limbe I, II| and III councils.
The press briefing signaled the launching ceremony of the festival and was highly attended by traditional rulers, quarter heads, heads of focal points, service heads, councilors among others.