Meta Artists' Association Sees the Light of Day

For the first time in history, artists of Meta origin have come together to form a Meta Artists' Association (MAA). Meeting in the seaside resort town of Limbe, S.W region on Sunday February 27th 2022, the pioneer Executive Committee was put in to man the affairs of the association for a three-year mandate renewable once. 

Talking to Mbengwi Online at the end of the meeting, Fombi Alexander Timah artistically known as Iceman Alex said "Everybody came here filled with a lot of opinions but I'm happy we came to a good conclusion as everyone is leaving satisfied with the decisions taken and we're ready to turn a new page with regards to Meta entertainment."

Family Photo at End of Meeting

Mbamunyuh Helmina Mundih was born in Njah-Etu, grew up in Acha-Tugi and is today doing music and business in Douala. Known by the stage name Helmine, in expressing her optimism about the outcome of the Limbe meeting, she on her part told Mbengwi Online "I want to see us up there. I want the world to know Meta stars and I want to be the best artist to be heard this year in Meta."

Wasi Fathes is a renowned camera operator that's gone as far as shooting films starring Nollywood icon Desmond Eliot and others. He has also shot and directed several other movies, music videos and documentaries. The native of Ku, Bome was part and parcel of the Limbe rendezvous. To him, Meta entertainers are taking a new step. In his words, "We addressed a lot of issues which Meta entertainers always face and I believe from now onwards, we are going to make a difference."

Attendees in Session

Amongst some of the resolutions arrived at during the February 27 2022 Limbe meeting were that membership into the association shall be opened to all involved in any artistic work worldwide, of Meta origin upon payment of a lifetime registration fee of 10.000F. Also, the association will have to be legalised and for this reason, members voted into the Executive Committee were:

- Seta Withgodep Wierts (Seta Beatss) - President

- Musang Quinta (Aunty Quin) - Vice President

- Munya Romanus - Secretary General

- Fombi Alexander Timah (Iceman Alex) - Financial Secretary

- Mbamunyuh Helmina Mundih (Helmine) - Treasurer

- Ngeh Pius (Icon P.) - Discipline Master

- Wasi Fathes - Social Secretary

- Fongoh p. Ayeh - Public Relations Officer

- Tah Armstrong (Daddy Black) and Tanga Marvin Teghen (DJ Praudo) - Events Managers

- Amuoh Anthony Sunday (Tony Little) and Achimbi Collins (D-Klins) - Technical Advisers

When Mbengwi Online cornered the pioneer president of the association at the end of the conclave, we first wanted to know from him his plans. Seta Withgodep Wierts said "We are working as a team and our first plan of action is organising an entertainment workshop and our second project will be to get visibility for Meta artists  both on the national territory and out of the country. The third thing we are going to do is working in collaboration with other Meta cultural associations like MECUDA, BADA and then we are also going to to organise a Meta Arts Award with cash prizes and trophies. We are also thinking of organising a Meta annual cultural event that will take place home."

Asked to give a word to artists of Meta origin that haven't yet belonged to the association, he said "Well, I think it's very important that we  work with the structure because our main objective of creating this organ is to promote Meta sons and daughters who are doing well in the arts and entertainment industry. As such, it is very important that they identify with this organ, get registered with us so that we can work in collaboration and help to lift up one another."

Seta Withgodep Wierts, Mbengwi Artists' Association President 

Charity they say begins at home. For this reason, Seta went on to encourage the Meta people to first of all begin by identifying themselves with the products of their artists, consuming them plus promoting them out there. In his own words, "I encourage our people to go after our products in the entertainment field be it comedy, music, movie to promote our culture." He also addressed his colleagues, spurring them to deliver good quality products that "As an artist, the Meta people should be able to identify your sound, listen to it and promote it out there."

At the close of the Limbe EXCO meeting, attendees decided to have a taste of nightlife in the town of friendship, moving from bar to bar and club to club, catching fun. In some, they were reserved a special treatment by their promoters and in others, they were given room to mount the stage and perform some of their tracks. 

Iceman Alex Performing at Night Club in Limbe

As the dust raised in Limbe is gradually settling, anxiety is now high in the artists as all attention is now on Yaoundé for the anticipated training workshop to better their skills. It is worth noting that the association is setting the pace in promoting the Meta language as the working language during their meetings is their mother tongue, a practice that is rare even in most village development associations. 

MAA as at now has a WhatsApp group with over 100 members and a Facebook page with  renowned names like Spaco, Zackary Long Mop, Danny Green (237 Town Cryer), Forkeh, Fadigal, Aunty Queen, Raza etc and all have been appreciating the move to come together for unity and the promotion of their arts.