Christine Njeuma: Cameroon's Pioneer Female Pilot

In January 2002, 29-year old Christine Bonbankal Njeuma made history by becoming the first ever Bakweri and Cameroonian female pilot, when she got recruited by Cameroon's national carrier, Cameroon Airlines (CAMAIR). This was a groundbreaking achievement that challenged deeply ingrained beliefs about gender roles for Cameroonian and African women.

By venturing into a career totally dominated by males, Christine was sending a message that the Cameroonian woman of the 21st century refused to be held back by outdated sexist standards.

Christine obtained her aviation license in April 2001 from the Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida (USA), where she also received a Master's degree in Airline Operations and Safety. She returned home shortly thereafter for a successful selection test with CAMAIR that involved 11 other candidates. She is also the holder of a BA in French and Spanish from the University of Florida at Gainesville.

A great athlete like her mother Dr. Dorothy Njeuma who was African female Lawn Tennis Vice Champion in 1975, Christine is one of Cameroon's greatest Lawn Tennis stars, having been the triple national champion from 1995 to 1997. She has also represented Cameroon in numerous international competitions. Tennis is not her only sports interest; she is also among a select group of women who have successfully ascended to the summit of the formidable Mount Fako.

After she was hired by CAMAIR, Christine went through another rigorous training period after which she was finally given her flying. Her first assignment was flying small Beachcraft commercial planes between the two largest cities in Cameroon, Douala and Yaounde, and also making regular trips from Douala to Malabo in Equatorial Guinea, which is just south of Cameroon. Her ultimate dream though is to fly the Boeing 747-A.With Christie's relentless drive and determination, there is no doubt in anyone's mind that she will achieve that goal sooner rather than later.

Christine is definitely a trailblazer and role model not only for young Bakweri women but also for all African women with dreams begging to be fulfilled. By achieving her childhood dream she is clearly telling women that gender should never be an obstacle. As she rightly told her detractors soon after she joined CAMAIR, "Brains, not Breasts, fly planes".

You go girl!

Picture courtesy of Janice & Tom

Comments

[epie andrew]

I wish to congratulate your braveness,as a young woman in the 21st century,pursuing to the goals of her career without shaking,I Will say stand still on your firm decision,and your answer is coming true,gone are the days when women remains only house wife to cook timanabusa and does not realise the beauty of this free gift nature by god.Be bless for I love meeting you one time for chatting. Andrew (CAMEROONIAN IN GERMANY)

[J.C]

i really like your website. I believe this website is very resourceful with very intellligent information. But i am confused.. about cameroonian women. what role do they play when married to a man. Can women choose who they want to be with, with out giving the parents anything? I do hope this makes sense. Can an american marry some one from cameroon? Can a man or women object to arrange marriages? what happenes if they do? Do they have choices in there life that could lead them to happiness, without doubt.

[Mafany George]

It is amazing how so much exists 'outhere' that we back home don't know anything about. As a Mopke, I am was proud to log on and have access to this bakwerirama website. A great and laudable initiative. Please keep it up.

[AWASUM JUNIOR]

Pretty deserved and well achieved story - you go sister !

[awa carine]

i am so proud of you
and i am happy i spend some good time with you
and i appreciate you a lot
you are my best
awa carine

[Wana Njie Litumbe Jr.]

Congratulations! Young lady. You are a true "tailblazer" to your generation. Soar like an eagle."mbando liyo liyo..." "....la la ndi lowa. O si la la je-jee..."

[monono roland]

Hai Cristine,
B,4 i commence i must appreciate u for a brilliiant up-front of our time may God almighty give u the strengh and ability to your endevous,will call as soon as i can.
MONONO from GERMANY

[ndeme emmanuel]

Keep up girl. that's great,like that.
best wishes.

[aniva adrian]

Congrats for the giant step taken.The sky is your limit.

[Jesco Lyonga Woloko]

I have just discovered this site. What a miss all this while!

For all those, who, in one way or the other contribute positively for the Bakweris, I say congratulations! Keep the spirit high.

God bless you all.

[Liefeka Kulu]

I trully thank God for his grace.
i will be very grateful to learn the mokwe alphabet why should they say the Douala Ngondo is superior to ours after all we have an ocean they have but lake or stream.
the problem is that we have to improve our cultural heritage. they are losts of kitchen equipments that are dying like the (Mokowe,eroka etc)
& some tradtional dances.
i will also suggest that we creat a material to indentify us.
thanks.

[John Woloko]

We thank God for this great promotion among the Bakwerians.

it's a good thing not to forget tradition and cultural heritage but it's even very important to focus only on the positive aspect of it. Experience has proven that many African talents and brains have been distroyed by so called traditions which are nothing but devilish organizations and sects of anti-human progress.

i'd better suggest that we create a christian Bakweri organization. thanks.

[constantine ndenge]

congratulations,being on thesame rail you passed through,i understand more where and what you have been up to, to get yourself where you are now.I must say,you are one brave girl.consty

[Larry Cumber]

It takes absolute dedication and confidence to get to where you are now. This would leave a lasting impression and propel some aspiring women with zeal and gusto wanting to get to that level. May you be blessed while you fly the skies.
Late Congrates

[Crystabelle Ferim Nee Kamara]

This is amazing Christine,
The first always sets the standard. You have set a double standard for us...as a woman and a mokpe. We are proud of you. you do not have limits....!!! keep up the good work. "eh mwana libiye ahokize eh mboa monyengi" You are one.
I know this comes late...but we are glad.
I am also excited about this site. Have visited it a lot of times.
Crystabelle, Dallas Texas.

[monangai john monangai GERMANY]

IF YOU HAVE TO WALK ON A LONG MILE YOU MUST FIRST BEGINWITH A STEP, SO I BELIEVE WHAT CHRISTINE HAVE DONE WILL ENCOURAGE OTHER BAKWERIAN GIRLS WHO WERE THINKING THAT PILOTING BELONGS ONLY FOR THE MEN, FLY HIGH CHRISTINE AND THE SKY IS YOUR LIMIT.

[I desagree]

for Liefeka Kulu

Despite that I know somebody cannot express himself her clearly, because of censure. I think you aren't so intelligent that you think, Say thanks to God, and leave others people alone, your attitude kill fraternity. God bless everybody, not only your tribe, they are many african countries whihs do not have ocean, and they are not inferior, I don't like your hate, please change.

[FANNY CHE]

what a man can do, a woman can do and even better. Christine , you are a source of inspiration especially to us women who are considered second to men. Go girl, go, . you shall surely fly that Boeing 747 -A to all the corners of the earth