Mrs. Bertha Mutto Enjema Effange née Njie was born on the 16th of June 1948 in Victoria (now Limbe) to Pa Joseph Netong’a Njie of Mile 4, Limbe and Sally Endale Lifiogo from Douala.
She started her primary school education in CDC School Middle Farms, Bota in 1954 while living with her parents. In 1956 her father who was a carpenter with the CDC retired to the village. At that time there were no schools in Bonadikombo, so late Mrs. Nkuku Nwigwe took Bertha in. For two years she and her sister Rebecca stayed in her home and schooling was ensured. From 1959 to 1961 Pa George Monjimbo took the sisters in where they completed their primary education. Bertha continued on to Saker Baptist College (SBC) Victoria from 1962 to 1966, being part of the elite PIONEERS of SBC. After her G.C.E. “O “Levels, she was admitted to the Clerical School in Buea and she obtained a Certificate in Office Practice. This certificate helped her get a job with the Education Office of the former West Cameroon Government in Buea.
She got married to her childhood sweetheart Edward Remou Mefondo Effange in 1968 and this union was blessed with three children; Doris Limunga, Simon Naka, and Samuel Moka. Bertha started looking at the world even then with a broader vision. Soon after the birth of her second child, she travelled to Great Britain for further studies as a private student. This was very difficult at a time when most students had scholarships to study in Britain. However, with the support of her in-laws, hard work and determination, Bertha got into The Pitman College in London where she graduated after two years with a Diploma in Secretarial Studies.
She immediately returned home to the family she loved so much. She joined her husband who was at this time studying Law at the University of Yaoundé. She worked in the Ministry of National Education, the Ministry of Public Service and the Ministry of Finance where she was Secretary to the Director of General Affairs. With a quest for a better life Bertha went to evening classes and obtained her G.C.E. “A” Levels with the intention of going to university. Any way providence changed her course. An opening at the National Assembly came up for the recruitment of Stenographers. She was invited by her friend Ruth Soh to join a team to study Verbatim Reporting at the National Assembly. Bertha took the offer and attended a two year in-service training program leading to the Diploma in Stenography. On completion of her Diploma, she was immediately absorbed into the National Assembly Administration as a Verbatim Reporter. While in the National Assembly she did not only carry out the duties of a Stenographer, she was also in charge of the Parliamentary Secretariat. She occupied the post of Assistant Chief of Service right up to Chargée d'étude. She retired from the National Assembly in 2003.
Bertha's assiduity and commitment to service earned her State Medals: Cavalier du Merit Camerounaise and Officier du Merit Camerounaise.
Bertha was multi-talented in many ways. She had a beautiful voice which was always displayed in singing with choirs. Her Solo in 'My Lord is writing all the time' with the Yaoundé Sakerettes at the French Cultural Centre Yaoundé in 1981 was a 'Hit'.
She was fun loving to the extent that her hobbies included: Singing, Dancing, Cookery and Socializing.
Whilst working at the National Assembly, her flair for cookery became a passion which she often used for economic gains. This caught the eyes of her superiors at the National Assembly and she was soon appointed Chief of Service for their restaurant. When she retired she went back to assist with teaching at the clerical school in Buea and also embarked on building and opening a bakery which she managed to the end.
However she faced many challenges in life which made her seek for answers. She found this in her love for God. She became a fervent follower of Christ belonging to the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Buea where she graduated from two Bible schools and was ordained a Deacon in her local church. The ordination took place in Nigeria.
Bertha always found time for everyone and so for better management of this selflessness, she joined several social groups where she often held the posts of Secretary, Treasurer and/or Spiritual Leader. Some of the groups she belonged to amongst others are the Zinnians, the Rovers, the Bakweri Social and Cultural Association, the Ndinge, Quarter meetings, Office meetings, and Mbunda.
The ex-Students of Saker Baptist College Association EXSSA, was her life. When the National EXSSA was founded in 1982, Bertha was voted the first Secretary. A post she held for five years and served on the Branch and National Executive in varying capacities since its inception. Bertha never missed a National Annual General Meeting. She even attended a meeting in the USA. Before her passing six days earlier on the 11 October 2015, she was a voting officer at the National Executive Elections which took place in Kumba.
In 2003 her pains began when she lost her beloved husband of 33 years. Tragedy again struck twice in 2014. She lost her second child Simon Naka and thereafter had a stroke which she partially recovered from. Eight months later her first daughter Doris Limunga also passed on. This was very devastating for her. She sought solace from her faith and belief in the Almighty God who was always her main comfort.
On the night of the 16th October leading to 17th October after attending a wake keeping service of a relative, she went into a malaise and was pronounced dead at the Buea Regional Hospital.
She leaves behind a host of family, friends, her church family, and most especially her son Samuel Moka, his wife and her four grandchildren Edward Mefondo Effange Jnr., Luther Effange, Vallen Nyoki Effange and Bennett Lyonga Effange to mourn her.
REST IN PERFECT PEACE BERTHA