Birth

Ba Nkom Gwanyama Orlando Samgwa'a was born on 21st September 1964 in Bali Nyonga to the late Ba Nkom Gwanyama James Kanga Mukong and late Mamun Lucy Gwanyama.


Early Education

For primary education, he attended Government School (G.S) Tikali, Bali and Cameroon Protestant College (C.P.C.) Bali for secondary education. There, he was always among the top three in his class. He further distinguished his brilliance when he won the Atekwana-Prize for the best Science student in Form Four. His outstanding performance qualified him for the award of the partial Government scholarship which was always given to his father to augment his school fees from Form Two through to Form Five. His mother had died when he was in Form One and his dad had sole responsibility for his education. Thus, he blazed a brilliant academic and conduct trail on completion from CPC Bali.


High School

CPC Bali became the launching pad for his academic ladder as he proceeded to the famous Government Bilingual High School (GBHS), Molyko, Buea, where again he left indelible footprints. He was in the first science batch of students there and continued as always to top his class. Consequently, it was no surprise that he produced the best GCE A/L results in the whole of the South West Province in 1984 as published in the Cameroon Tribune GCE A/L examination results for that year.


Further Education

Following his outstanding performance at the GCE A/Level, he proceeded to Ecole Normale Superieure (ENS) Bambili – University of Yaounde through a highly competitive exam but he was not very keen to take up the teaching profession. Given his intellectual prowess he foresaw brighter academic prospects in pursuing further university education and so, he put aside the ENS Bambili idea for the Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde, where he enrolled in the Physics Series. However, after profound contemplation and on the parental caution from his father and mentor, Ba Nkom James Mukong GWANYAMA , who re-iterated the famous adage that “A bird in hand is worth two in the bush”,  after one month of studying Physics he finally decided to pursue the professional higher education course at ENS Bambili.


Professional Education

Paradoxically, on returning to ENS, Bambili, Orlando’s ranking was 12th. in the class during the first year, which was far below his usual high academic performance. He was challenged and determined that having finally decided to become a teacher, he had to be a teacher “par excellence”. In the 2nd and 3rd years he came 2nd in class after his friend (a brother) Mr. Jam Glory who always occupied the first position.


Professional Life

On completion of the Teacher training at ENS Bambili he was posted to GHS Jakiri. It was there that he got married to Ms Irene Fongwi Fomukong on 2 February 1991. They were blessed with three children Palmer, Dr. Noella and Dr. Bengyella. His thirst for knowledge was undiminished and he went to the “primus-inter-pares” University of Nigeria Nsukka where he pursued a Master’s degree in Mathematics Education.


Family Life

Orlando then took a break and concentrated on educating his own children, while carrying on with his teaching career as a renowned Mathematics and Statistics teacher at various colleges and High schools in Cameroon among which were G.H.S Jakiri, G.H.S Mankon, G.H.S Akum, CPC Bali and Longla High School among others. 

His children have gone on to be successes in their various careers; Palmer is a holder of an MBA and a business mogul, Noella is a qualified and practicing Medical doctor and Bengyella is a qualified and practicing Veterinary Doctor. 


Higher Education

Once he knew his children’s education was taken care of, he decided to pursue a Ph.D in Mathematics Education at the College of Education, Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria. In the meantime, he taught Research Methods and Statistics at the University of Bamenda and  at the time of his passing, he had just submitted his thesis and was making final preparations to go and defend his Ph.D at Ahmadu Bello University. 


Professional Exams

He was also Assistant Chief Examiner for GCE "O" Level Mathematics. He always told his children to seek to gain knowledge because your knowledge is something that no one can ever control or take away from you.


Posterity

He was blessed with 6 grandchildren Gwanyama Chalmer, Gwanyama Kyira, Gwanyama Ajinikob, Mbusa Aretha-Gina, Gwanyama Samgwa'a and Samjela.


Traditional Responsibilities

As a Nkom and red-feather successor to his father, the venerable Ba’nkom Gwanyama, he handled his traditional responsibilities and family concerns as father and head of the extensive Gwanyama family with consummate maturity to the admiration of the entire Bali community stretching out to the various areas where his “children” were married. He was a member of various traditional groups; Nda Lela, Nsunyin and Nda Nchibi.


Social Life

Ba Nkom Gwanyama Orlando was a well-rounded member of society as evident from the many organizations and groups to which he belonged. He was an active member of several Alumni Associations – Bali Old Boys Association (BOBAN) (a BOB at heart) and Bilingual Grammar School Ex-students Association 'BIGSEA'. Professionally, he was a member of the MATHS TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION, GHS Akum Staff and Cameroon Teachers Trade Union 'CATTU'.


Spiritual Life

With regards to his spiritual life, Ba Nkom Orlando took his spiritual life very seriously and was a devout Presbyterian Christian. He worshiped in the Azire Presbyterian Church Bamenda and was an active and devoted member of the Christian Men Fellowship (CMF) group.


Final Farewell

Ba Nkom Orlando passed away on Thursday 28th January 2021 after a brief illness. He leaves behind his wife, mothers, brothers, sisters, children, in-laws, grandchildren and friends to mourn him.

He has left a gapping hole in our hearts that can never be filled because he was who he was, with all his unique qualities. We entrust him into Abraham’s bosom where he can now rest in eternal peace with his Maker.


We love you Daddy and you will forever remain in our hearts. Rest in peace Daddy