Meet Bimbia's daughter, Clara Yondo, Cameroon's first female English-Speaking journalist

Late Clara Yondo Tama was born on April 21, 1932 to Mr. Karl Ekum Njoh and Mrs. Mariana Namondo Njoh née Esuka of Dikolo, Bimbia in Limbe III Subdivision, Fako Division.

Clara Yondo Tama became a journalist in 1959 and worked for the first newspaper in the former West Cameroon, “Cameroon’s Champion.” 

She authored the very popular column “Letters to Auntie Clara,” which addressed issues of interest to women. She also authored “ Bimbia as I saw it”.

After completing her primary education, she spent two years in Nigeria with her cousin studying midwifery at Hope Wadell. Upon her return to Cameroon, she taught at the Basel Mission girls' school and worked as a nurse. 

She then resigned to get married and move back to Nigeria. In 1959, her husband went to the United Kingdom to continue his studies, and Clara Yondo Tama returned to Cameroon. 

It was her cousin, Peter Motomby Woleta, who persuaded her to train as a journalist and then to work with him at Woleta's printing and publishing house. 

At the beginning of the training program, there were eight students—three women and five men—but Clara was the only woman to persevere and was appointed assistant editor at the newspaper "Cameroon's Champion" in 1960, the first newspaper in the former West Cameroon. 

She thus became the first female journalist in western Cameroon. In the 1960s, journalism was a highly respected profession, but it was very unusual to see a woman in such a prominent role, often outshining men. 

It was also difficult to travel and gather information in remote areas without telephones. Journalists listened to BBC News every morning to gather news. 

They also waited for the Daily Times to arrive by plane from Lagos and gathered information from it, as it wasn't possible for the Daily Times to reach all regions of western Cameroon. 

Important news was compiled into articles, and the newspaper was distributed to almost every region of western Cameroon by agents. There were also a few journalists who reported from within the country and its surrounding areas. 

At that time, the newspaper was printed once a week on a Heidelberg press, and distribution was difficult. It took about three to four days for the paper to reach Bamenda and the surrounding area. 

Clara Yondo Tama's column was modeled after that of editor-in-chief Theresa Ogumbiy in the "Daily Times," which focused on women's issues. 

This column was a huge success, and the newspaper sold like hotcakes because everyone wanted to read Clara's column.

Contact KNews management on whtapp for news coverage, support, special-write-ups and advertisement (+237) 651252410

We’re using this platform to invite you for our coronation in Bonabile, Bimbia on November 28-29. Come one, come all!

Late Clara Yondo Tama