Bate Besong: The Family Remembers

BB's Wife and Children Interviewed by Elvis Tah (Culled from The Post)

Happier Times: Bate Besong and Family

Mrs. Christina Besong
I thank God for my husband because, having seen that he has finished his earthly duties, the Almighty decided to call him up to glory.

Mrs. Christina Besong and Son Dante

Dante Besong: (23)
My father was a man worth being with because he had humorous overtones. He could make you feel really comfortable. As a father, he was most caring and very interested in his family. He did everything possible to defend our interest.

On the other hand, I think every human being has his flaws. Normally, he would shout at us and that he did to correct his family. Usually, he told us that his greatest fear was that he would not like his family to suffer the way he did, because he suffered a lot of persecution throughout his life. His way of speaking was very loud.

At the professional level, BB touched so many people nationally and internationally. I call him BB (laughs), just to show how dynamic he was. He was a friend and a father at the same time. I would say he left a good example for Cameroonians to follo. Some people might even call him a literary messiah in Cameroon and I am very proud and happy to have had him as a father. He was my mentor and would respect my decisions.

My father could also be complicated at times. We once had some differences and that was the first and only problem we ever had and it enhanced our relationship. It made him understand that I am a man and that I have my own principles, so I appreciated him for that.

June Besong: (21)
There is so much to remember about our father. First of all, he was a great dad and a great scholar. Although he was not perfect, he had his own flaws but his positive sides outweighed the negative sides. We shall forever remember him. I remember the last time I had with my father was the day of the book launch.

After the launch, we sat in the parlour just the two of us and he was saying nothing. He was so calm, he went out and came back and touched me. The last time I saw him was when I opened the door for him to go to Yaounde. I bade him good-bye and safe journey. I don't really like to talk about it. Now that he is no more, I will always remember the fun he always made.

Whenever he came back home, he would start calling us funny names like Nabisco! It was the nickname he gave to my mother. He used to call me Abo Abo, and Dante, Dantoro the old shark. Mandela had no nickname because he respected him so much. Our father always made us laugh, he was very friendly with everyone, especially with his family and provided everything that we needed.

He would say he was working to give us the best. I will always remember the love, care and concern he had for us and above all he was God-fearing. He always told us that no matter what we do, we should always be steadfast and stick to our ideas especially when we know that the ideas are positive. 

Christabelle Besong:(25)
I am really short of words. In fact, daddy was a very good person. He was a father indeed. He was always there for us; even when you didn't ask for anything, he knew that you were in need. Our father never wanted us to suffer.

He always wanted us to be where we desired to be. He gave room for us. He always sat and talked with us; advised us even when he was going. It is really traumatising when one thinks of the way he talked to us; expressing the love and concern he had for us. We are proud of him wherever we are even in his absence.

Our friends would testify that he welcomed children in house. In fact, everybody could talk well of him. On the other hand, he was very strict. He didn't tolerate just anything; he would point out your faults bluntly.  I think he was training us because he used to tell us that he didn't want us to depend on anybody or suffer in his absence. So, wherever we went wrong, he would shout at us but would still want us to do what we failed to do.

Harold Mandela Besong:(16)
What I can remember about my father is that he was a brave man. He spoke out his mind in every instance. He was never afraid to defend himself and his family wherever he was. At the same time, he was very strict and liked to shout when speaking.

Cedella Besong: (19)
What I can recall about my father is that he was a great man and that he fought for all Cameroonians. In fact, he fought for the Truth. I consider him as my own Martin Luther King Jr. My father is my own legend.

Eldridge Charles Besong: (7)
My daddy was a writer. He was also a teacher. Magbor told me that daddy was dead and that I would no longer see him again. I was crying because I did not want my daddy to die, I love him. He used to buy me gifts like football, toys, games and my TV. I love daddy because he is my father and because he loves me too. He used to play with me.

Comments

[Abidemi Olowonira]

BB was introduced to me by a very good friend and a partner of mine Kangsen Feka Wakai, also from Camaroun. He told me about his influence in the Camerounian, African literary world. I had read few of his poems and essays and was looking forward to meeting him one day. Unfortunately this will not happen on this sorry earth perhaps in AFTER-AFRICA. According to BB's family he was a terrific father to them, so he was in the young African literary endeavour, what a GIANT! BB will forever be missed in the realm of the young African pioneers and his legacy will forever remain in us. Su' n re o baba (sleep well baba)

[Momeni albert didier]

I am an ex UB student. I have had the chance to have Dr Besong as teacher from the year 2000 to 2003 when I finished my B.A program in English and French.
Now I'm studying abroad and i received the notice as an earthquake.
May repose in peace BB, and be sure that your spirit and your works will never die! You have open a way and a hope for your fellows and no matter how long it takes, grand grand children of cameroon will be of your deeds towards them.