In my mind's eye, I still can see how the vast palm plantations of the CDC, the robust railway line and the seaport shaped the lives of Bota lads. In our youthful exuberance, most of us were amateur harvesters, oil mill technicians, hunters and fishermen in the backyard of vibrant Victoria. Thank God we weren't swept away by these seductive leisure games akin to opium.

 

Growing up with Pa and Ma ETAME, Joe Mahop had the menacing challenge of avoiding the many Indian families in their neighborhood and the "seven devils " of Crystal Garden, the legendary cabaret in the 70's.

 

It was on this backdrop and thanks to our common history and geography that we joined Joe at Council School, MiddleFarms, Bota alongside Tom Eyambe, George Ngwene, Charlie Ndichia, Priso Epale, Valentine Njee, Evelyn Nzegge and a host of other Bota lads and lasses.

 

School in those days was fun and family indeed and like a good honeycomb we converged at Sasse College. For MAHOP, Joseph, 1970 was the year with student Number 2104 underpinning his academic jacket with Wose Andrew, Mokom Elias, Imo Romanus and the electric Yusufu Yahaya as classmates. Many years rolled by after Sasse and many trajectories were born in different parts of the world.

 

Joe Mahop moved to the United States of America and spent a fat part of his life shuttling to and from his base, Cameroon.

 

Unfortunately, Christmas 2025 came with a sour taste this time around. In a breath, Joe was gone. It sounded like a joke. I then realised the stone of time has fragilized our Bota Fraternity and like a flame on ice our big bracket of friends was melting out. How can this be? My teenage eyes can still see this ebony, negro-nose and fish-eyed epicurean who looked like Steven Seagal, the celebrated Hollywood filmstar.

 

In his Sasse days, Joe kept his goalpost with style. He was a big bully though especially in the refectory during lunch or supper. Strangely, behind this Russian facade was a party mogul and fun-loving gentleman whose only presence irrigated warmth and laughter. What a loss! We shall all miss Joe Mahop but I'm cock sure his sturdy shadow will linger around us for a good while. Ah, Joe, I may never understand why you came to Cameroon...to go.

 

You will always be in our prayers and memories.

 

Robert EKUKOLE
Friend / SOBA '71