Limbe Celebrates Africa Rally Arrival

Inhabitants of Limbe were thrilled with a festival of traditional music and dance to commemorate the arrival of some teams participating in the 2009 edition of the Africa Rally. Activities to mark the “Under the Volcano” event took place at the Jungle Village, in the Limbe Botanic Garden on January 16, 2010 under the auspices of The Adventurists and Global Music Exchange, in association with the Ministry of Culture and the Limbe City council.The musical jamboree was spiced with performing artists representing seven of the ten regions of Cameroon with the distinguished patronage of Mr Andrew Motanga Monjimba, Gov’t Delegate to the Limbe City Council as one of the spectators.

Some of the performers that sparked the ambiance include the Baka Pygmies from the Eastern Region, Encyclopedia d’Assikou, Littoral Region, and Andeng Etaba, Centre Region. In a press conference organised through the Limbe City Council as facilitator on January 8, Mr Martin Cradick, member of the Global Music Exchange noted the event is funded by the Allen and Nesta Ferguson Foundation and the Adventurists, a charity that raises money by organising car rallies.

Talking to The SUN, Mr Duncan Milligan, Africa Rally Event Manager, said 12 out of the 30 teams and their cars that started their journey from the UK through the Sahara have arrived Limbe. The idea is to have a great adventure on the way and experience all that Africa has to offer. He said participants are coming from all over the world, including UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand.

According to Mr Milligan the vast majority of the cars which would be auctioned on January 23, at 10:00 am in the Limbe Trade Fair Ground are under 1000cc. This added another element of challenge to the rally. He said this year’s event would be characterised with the participation of an Austin 7 motorcar built in 1934 which would not be auctioned. However, the auction would be based of the “purchasing power of the highest bidders”.
Mr Milligan said the event is aimed at raising money for local communities in Cameroon. He added that so far the teams have succeeded to collect about FCFA 33 million, “which will be spent on various projects throughout Cameroon”.

Meanwhile, one of the spectators this reporter contacted after the Assikou dancers performed Mr Henry Agha Achobang, ANDP Fako President/coordinator, appreciated the initiative emphasising on the fact that the Limbe City Council accepted to host the event. He made an appeal that the population should participate massively when such an event is being organised in future.

Nonetheless, Mr Milligan applauded the participation of the local population stating that Limbe is truly a town of friendship. He promised that the event shall take place again next year.

By Mbenju Mafany