Augustine Ndangam

Augustine Ndangam (Ba Nkom Gwanua) studied English Language and Literature at the Federal University of Cameroon and at the School of English of the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom. Between 1979 and 1995, he worked as a high school administrator eventually serving as principal in Wum, Kumbo and Bamenda respectively. He taught at the Higher Teacher’s College (ENS) Bambili and later at the Bamenda University of Science and Technology. Ba Ndangam has been an active community leader who has consistently championed and enthusiastically supported initiatives aimed at the development of Bali Nyonga and improving the welfare of its people. He was President of Bali Nyonga Development and Cultural Association (BANDECA) for Bali Sub-Division from 2004-2008. He was the keynote speaker at the 2004 BCA-USA Convention in Minnesota. As a community organizer, he led efforts to ensure that Bali-Nyonga had a water system that was autonomous and self-sustaining. In recognition of his leadership and distinguished services to the community, he was raised to the traditional nobility of Nkom by HRH V. S. Galega II in 1981 and named Nkom Gwanua (the Fon’s eyes). In tribute to HRH Galega II, Ba Ndangam and four other fellow Bali-Nyonga scholars co-authored a seminal book on Bali Nyonga culture, history and traditional politics. He is a published poet and writer. His books with British co-author David Weir has been one of the English language text books for children in primary schools in Cameroon during the last  three decades. He is a member of Kadmvi and Sung nyin ndakums respectively. He is a married father of six and grandfather of eight. He is head of the Ndangam family of Tikali, Bali Nyonga.