Happy Birthday Mama. I know you should be having a celebration with all the Angels, your husband and friends in heaven. We celebrate your life on earth and in heaven. Heaven has an Angel. Miss you and Love you.

From Dr. Fofung

Tribute to Mamy Martha Ndi Elangwe

The Christmas and New Year have come and gone, gone without my usual end of year or beginning of the year telephone call with that coarse hesitant voice of Mamy Martha Elangwe at the other end of the line wishing me best of tidings and telling me not to work too hard. Speaking in her usually motherly tone, I would be on the other hand feeling guilty and trying to be apologetic which she would usually brush aside “I know you are busy.”

As a child growing up in the Police Barracks in Kumba, we had known mama as a No Nonsense Stern Nurse at the Kumba General Hospital working with Dr. Romero, Dr. Fejer and Dr. Sultanakis. On my way to school in Fiango,  I would bypass her at her entrance on the banks of Kumba water as she was being driven up the opposite direction towards Station.  Needless to say I had never imagined I would one day become one of her adopted children. While she was hospitalized in the Clinic some years ago, I had the opportunity to carry out in-depth discussions with mamy and got to know her better. When we last visited her in kake recently, as she heard our voices in the parlour, she exercised a lot of effort to come and meet us. Little did I know time was approaching.

On that fateful day, I was unable to meet her when she arrived the clinic but did arrange for the rightful person to attend to her. I was not aware that her condition was quite serious. At the close of the day, I went up to check on her just to find her in a non communicating state. She had just slowly slipped away without any adieu. Mama, you have fought that good fight, rest in perfect peace till we meet again.        

 Dopgima FOFUNG M.D                                  

FROM AGNES NTOKO BEYEGUE

Mama,

You talked several times to your late son Prince NTOKO NTOKO.

You made a statement when mama’s corpse (Mrs.Ntoko) arrived kumba.

You finalized all these by giving Brother Jeff “that” picture a few days before passing away.

Thanks Mama, you are at peace with me.You deserve this rest.

                                                                                                     BEYEGUE NTOKO AGNES

 FROM PRINCESS

Mama,

I took you for a checkup in your usual Clinique Muna; not for an emergency. Little did I know that I was coming back alone. Never heard or seen where an ordinary checkup puts someone to everlasting sleep, but yours did. All I can say is, I Love you but God loves you best. Your children understand everything but I understand better because you hid nothing from me.God’s time is the best and you are now with him. Thank God for everything. Good bye!

            Your Mamie (sister “B”)                                                                                                      

REMEMBERED BY: PRINCE GIBSON NJEY TEGHA MBA

Mama, going down memory lane as a kid, it takes me no time to remember the uniqueness in the way you interacted with everybody whenever you made periodic visits to your uncle’s Palace in Batibo; it caused pandemonium amongst kids playing football bare-chested and usually in the rain; villagers attending different ceremonies were taken aback by your stern and authoritative looks, which meant that you disapproved of anything that was taking place in the Palace haphazardly, or done against tradition.

When I came of age to ask questions, I dared to ask my father how my awesomely beautiful, but exceedingly compassionate Mama Martha, who was a “Graffie Princess” got to marry somebody from the “coast” at a time when such marriages were still more or less, taboo?

Then my father promptly retorted and said that you were born to be a pace-setter, so to speak, and you had already been a pioneer in several ways in your life. And your unprecedented example of more than half a century ago, opened the way for such marriages, which have helped to build and cement relationships at all levels, between North and South Westerners, to take place.

Living in Yaounde in the corridors of power in the seventies and eighties, you spared no occasion to right wrongs, no matter whose ox was gored. You’d perpetually remind me of the “blueness in my blood”, so I had to be careful with the kinds of friends I was hanging out with. You loved, cherished, respected and promoted “our tradition” in all its ramifications, and left no stone unturned, no turn un-stoned and no cutlet uncooked, in sustaining it wherever you were, and by every means at your disposal.

A couple of years ago when “Atah” your beloved uncle got missing, my phone rang and we were all still thrown into pandemonium, the same way it usually happened more than forty years ago. I quickly heard you yelling questions at me, and my phone passed through the hands of four of my elder brothers because we were in search of answers to your string of questions, but nobody dared to utter a word, until it got to whom the buck stopped. He inadvertently tried to explain the traditional rituals that had to be carried out before…….but you promptly interrupted him, and said you should have been there to take care of him yourself.

Mama, every piece of advice you gave us was for our good; all your interventions were for the better, and you always wanted us to be the best in everything we did.

We shall forever be grateful to you for everything, but we know that you’d still keep your watchful eyes on all of us until we meet again.

Adieu!

Prince Gibson NJEY TEGHA MBA

Mama, you retired to your Kake 1 Palace after serving in your Country’s Public Service honorable in different capacities. You were still full of life and energy as you were one of the founding members of the famous Sweet Sisters Group in Kumba with our late mother Mrs. Joan Natty, my late aunt Ruth Ntuba, Mrs. Prisca Ngoh, Mrs. Sally Vega just to name a few. You ladies showed other women how to have fun and enjoy life.

Mama, I remember visiting you in Atlanta, GA with my first child, I remember visiting you in Kake October of 2012 the last time I came to Cameroon. It’s just like yesterday. You were the only reason why we came to kake.

Mama, I hope you know how quietly your departure is shared with grief and sorrow by all of us. When a goodbye is so unexpected, we can't help remembering how fragile life is. One thing for sure though, we will never have the chance to enjoy the sweetest “koki Corn” you used to make anymore.

A Mother is always precious, you will be deeply missed, we loved you but God loves you “Best”. Extend our warm greetings to your friend our mother.

Rest in Peace Mama.

For The Natty’s

Pa Willie

One morning in the summer of 1979, I was invited by my friend and brother Dr. Jeff Elangwe to accompany him to Washington D.C from Texas to meet his mom who was visiting from Cameroon. After about an 18 hour ride we arrived at Miss Bie Elangwe’s apartment and there she was an elegant lady in dark glasses. Within minutes it was clear why I was invited on this trip. Mommy Elangwe had such a commanding and intimidating presence. Her aura was strong and instantly filled any room. I was immediately drawn to her candor (she called it as she saw it). We had a good time during that visit but little did I know that this would be the beginning of a relationship that has lasted over 30 years. During this period I have benefited from her generosity and candor. I became very fond of her and would visit her whenever I found myself in Cameroon. My last visit was on the 7th of December 2013 four days before her exit. I knew she had been sick for a while and I had not seen her for over a year. Upon entering her room, I was greeted by a smile. The same one I saw when we first met. She was alert, sharp and didn’t hesitate to tell me what she wanted and how she wanted it done. Yes, she was still elegant with her glasses on. I WILL MISS HER. I am however grateful I had that one moment to touch her and listen to her say goodbye in subtle ways. On leaving her room I was certain I wouldn’t see her again. But I didn’t know it would be this soon. She lived a good life and fought a good fight. I therefore take solace in the fact that her most admired attribute has been passed on to the next generation. As we mourn, I would like to thank the Elangwe family for allowing me share this moment with them. She will forever be part of me considering January 18th   2014 is her home going ceremony and also happens to be my birthday.

Professor Nelson Asek Makia.

“THE GLORIES OF OUR Blood AND STATE
ARE SHADOWS, NOT SUBSTANTIAL THINGS
THERE IS NO ARMOUR AGAINST FATE
DEATH LAYS HIS ICY HANDS ON KINGS,
SCEPTRE AND CROWN..”

             Mama was born surrounded by Royal blood: born to Tita Ndi of the Royal Family of Tiben, her mother was EbodAbeuh of the Batibo Royal Family. She married to a Meme Royalty, Hon. Chief Henry Namata Elangwe, Paramount Chief of the Bakundus in Kake with whom she had 7 children. Mama was blessed with many grand children and great grand children.
            Mama, you were an icon amongst the female gender, first educated woman to obtain the FSLC (or was it called Middle Two then) from Batibo Subdivision and Widikum. A British trained compassionate and dedicated Nurse.
          I now recall my 1st encounter with you was around 1959/60. You occasionally came home for vacation from Kumba with your first 3 kids namely: Jeff, Bie and Choka. The whole Palace was mobilized: Atah (late Dad) and Ni Hansel would come to discuss politics, Ebod (my late Mom) would leave her room with a Vono bed for you, and Ni Peter, (my late elder brother) always teasing talkative. Amongst those closest to you at the Palace, only Ni Hansel would be at your burial. The other 3 went ahead of you, and would certainly welcome you may be in Paradise. Atah left in 2005, Ebod in 2010 and Peter in 2011.
          Auntie worked all over former West Cameroon. In Yaounde she was Matron of the Central Hospital in the late 70 ties. There she was strict and refreshingly blunt. She made news in Yaounde tabloids when she ordered this other nurse(Frenchwoman), also a Minister’s wife, to stop wearing high heel shoes to work, because that disturbed the patients.
         Minus the sickness that had taken a tole on her, Mama remained cheerful. I remember the last statement she made to me during her beloved Atah’s memorial in December 2009. “God has given us 2 ears and 1 mouth so that we should listen twice before we speak once”

Thank you Mama and Adieu.
By Colonel (ret) Armstrong Mba, Maryland, USA

I will miss you dearly; your smile, your laughter, your advice and most of all your jokes. I still remember your proclamation that we are the tallest people in our tribe because of you. I also remember you going out the door in your signature dark glasses, looking Sharp and Stately; I commented,

"Mama, your belt done loss".

Without missing a beat, you turned and responded with a smile,

"Make e be".

Now know why, for it is my turn.

You were hard working, resilient, congenial, compassionate generous and fun loving.

You left no stone unturned.

I can only imagine what it will be like to be surrounded by angels in the radiance of the glory of God! I am certain your soul has arrived your eternal home and Heaven is the richer for it. I am comforted in this because I learned from you that our “Redeemer lives!”

Although we are currently in the turmoil of grief, I pray The Almighty will soon speak “PEACE” and our hearts will be still. I will really celebrate your HOME-GOING, for I believe your departure has come at YOUR APPOINTED TIME and to God be ALL the glory!

I pray that as God welcomes you into your just reward, your absence with us serves as a lodestar to guide us into true Love, Togetherness, Forgiveness, Accommodation and Discernment; but most of all our need to be always aware of our own mortality – to “number our days” because that ‘DAY of the Lord’ will surely come for each of us.

Ad Infinitum.

Your Daughter,

Eva Choka Burnley Née Namata-Elangwe

Matt: 11:28
   Come Unto me, all ye that labour and heavy laden and I will give you rest.

Mommy you left me with a very heavy and bleeding heart. So many things to say but you are not there to hear me. I never prepared myself for your home going. How can I say good bye? Might be I did not say I love you as you would have love to hear me say. Mommy I want you to know I love you and no one can replace you.

Mommy you are at rest with your marker and I pray that you will and forever be my guardian angel. Thank you mommy for all the great care, love you gave to all with your kind and loving heart, thanks for the strength while trying to teach us rights and wrong. Thanks for the laughs, humor, passion and caring spirits.


Mommy you were such an awesome mother and you showed love not just to your children but others who got to know and love you. You were a mother to all.
Thank you mommy for your dear, and sweet love. I know you'll watch over us from heaven above.

 In your father's house there are many rooms so prepare for us so when he makes his calling, we gonna be together again. Good night mommy until we meet again.

I Love you Very Much
Your daughter Moiti (Last Coco)

Mami Elangwe,

You took us all by surprise. I for one never saw it coming. Despite your persistent warnings, I never thought the end was right around the corner.

Like mother Hen, you wrapped your hands around me from the very beginning of my courtship with Eva and for the better part of 28 years you never unwrapped them. I regret that I did not take the time, in the last 2 years, to reiterate to you how much you really meant to me as a friend and a mother-in-law.

Although you cannot hear me in death I know your spirit can and I know for sure you are smiling down on us your children from heaven.

Mami Elangwe, you have fought the good fight, you have finished the course, you have kept the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7)

Thank you for your kindness, thank you for your loyalty, thank you for being you. I will always be in your debt.

Nana

Dedicated to Mama Martha Namata-Elangwe

 Author: Irue Malingo Elangwe-Okie (daughter)

“Mama has passed”- it sounded like a dream

The most hurtful phrase ever heard

Words cannot describe the pain and devastation

I cried and cried like never before

If only tears could turn things around

Mother did her best to prepare me for this

 Conversations and anticipatory guidance did not help

The truth is one can never be ready enough

To lose a mother, friend and mentor so dearly loved

Mother was a passionate and skillful dancer

A powerful and self-made woman in her own right

She danced with her heart, a classroom for her children

Dance was her divine assignment in a complex world

She listened to life’s lyrics and developed appropriate steps

Strong values and beliefs tailored her moves

Every step was calculated and commanded respect

Each posture conveyed courage, strength and confidence

A child of God who danced to touch and change lives

Mother was blessed with beauty, brains and courage

Sometimes her steps were in conflict with others

Even those who resented her courage admired her dance

She was never distracted, discouraged or intimidated

She danced with love, commitment and honesty

She danced to help, encourage and inspire

Each movement was unique telling a story of joy or pain

Dance was the hidden language that healed her soul

She danced like wine; it matured with every performance

An amazing dancer and a mentor for many

A virtuous woman who danced to lyrics ahead of her time

The dance is over, the applause subsided

My bones are broken, my heart bleeding

Holding tight unto my mentors lessons

Leaning on God for comfort and understanding

Memories of joy and pride will last forever

Mother please send me your dance shoes

Though worn out, they will boost my confidence to dance

I will be a great dancer with your shoes on my feet

Mother watch over me from step to step

Let’s dance to keep our mother’s legacy alive

LOVE YOU MOM