“Valentine Surprise” for Couples Who Will Attend Cameroon’s Got Talent Show, Birmingham, UK

Organisers of the Cameroon’s Got Talent show scheduled for Birmingham, UK have promised a surprise for couples who decide to join them celebrate the second edition of the talent on February 15, a day after valentine day.

The event will showcase the talent of young Cameroonians based in the UK from the ages of 5 to 25. They will have to fight it out to win cash prizes and trophies in different categories, including  song, dance, comedy and spoken word. Traditional Cameroon and African dances will be on display. The event will take place at The Drum, 144 Porters Lane, Aston on Carrant B6 4UU, Birmingham and gate fee is a modest £5.

The event is organised by the Cameroon Literary  Group (CLG) UK. Mrs Maria G (Goretti) aka Mama Cahy is the founder and of CLG and main organiser of the talent competition.

Francis Ngwa caught up with her for a chat:

Cameroon Literary Group founder Maria G gives contestant prize in 2013 edition of CGT

Q Why did you decide to organise a Cameroon’s Got Talent competition in the UK?

A

I created the Cameroon Literary Group in the UK in 2010, for Cameroonian Youths between the ages of 5 and 25 years, to help bring their skills and dreams to fruition. I realised how talented and skilled some Cameroonian youths are; this awareness brought home the fact that there is no existing platform for them to showcase their talent or any organised programme to enable them progress in their various chosen fields. Thus, my reason for organising a Cameroon’s Got Talent show.

The show provides a platform for the youths to showcase to the general public, the wealth and diversity of their talents and the Cameroonian culture here in the UK.

I am very passionate about ‘Cameroon’s Got Talent’ and believe that it is the right platform to initiate our young Cameroonian artistes and Innovators into the international and global spectrums.

Belting a song during Cameroon’s Got Talent 2013

Q What is going to be involved on the day? What should people expect to see?

 A

Competitions will be held in music, dance, spoken word, comedy and a quiz in general knowledge of Cameroon. Participants will be grouped in different age categories.

The highlights of the event will include performances by some UK-based Cameroonians,  among them Pit’a Mbongo, Masol and  Gorygang.   There will be cultural and modern dances, a fashion catwalk, motivational talks, exotic Cameroonian cuisine and drinks.

People who will attend the event should put on their dancing shoes to dance and party with DJ SGS.  We will have a nice surprise for couples who decide to extend their valentine celebration with us.  We promise a very entertaining evening for everyone.

Q Why did you choose Birmingham to host the event?

A

After holding our events in London for two years running, we received requests to take them to the regions outside London where Cameroonians are also resident.  We then decided to honour their request by organising the CGT competition this year in Birmingham. Last year, the event took place in Manchester.  Next year by God’s grace, we are scheduled to host the event in Cambridge.

Q Why will you say you are in the best position to organise a Cameroon’s Got Talent show in the UK?

 A

I have been in the arts and show-business industry all my life. At the age of nine, I performed on stage with the world’s most acclaimed Jazz singer Louis Armstrong. This was during his tour of West Africa.

I am a musician, poet, actress and playwright. My song ‘Africa Unite’ was used during the opening of  the 1996 OAU Summit in Yaounde, Cameroon. I released an EP (extended play) in July 2013 titled Love Praise. I equally have written and directed five plays, which were staged at the Hilton Hotel Yaounde and Screened on Cameroon National Television, CRTV.

I have successfully Organised similar shows in Cameroon and Nigeria and believe that, with my wealth of knowledge and experience in the arts and show-business industry, I am in the best position to organise a Cameroon’s Got Talent show in the UK.

Q Some critics might say naming the event  “Cameroon’s Got Talent”  is not really original since you just copied the name from the more popular Britain’s Got Talent  that has been running for a couple of years now.

 A

Some critics might say that, but what makes it original is that the competition is only for Cameroonian youths. The event creates a platform that provides a much more conducive atmosphere for  Cameroonian youths in the UK. I am not running another Britain’s Got Talent; that will be looked at as duplication.

Q Without being biased, do you seriously believe Cameroonians based in the UK have talent they can show off?

A

I don’t only believe this, but from personal experience, I know that Cameroonians based in the UK have got talent which should not go unnoticed. We have to show off our talents and culture to other people.

Fun night of song at dance in Cameroon’s Got Talent 2013