Dance of the Vampires and Six Other Plays

Preface Two

ix Preface Two Bole Butake – And The Playwright Retires: Cameroon’s ace playwright and actor, Prof. Bole Butake talks on his university teaching career as he prepares to retire at the end of this month. B By Kimeng Hilton Ndukong, 12 July 2012, Cameroon Tribune, 12 July 2012 The mention of Bole Butake’s name will most likely ring a bell – especially among those familiar with Cameroon’s literature in English. This is especially true for students who have had occasion to study or perform some of his plays. After more than 40 years of teaching in the then University of Yaounde (now University of Yaounde I), Prof. Butake is retiring at the end of this month a fulfilled man. Beginning as secondary school teacher of English language to Francophone university students, the don – who lost both his parents within a week when he was only four – would later rise through all lecturer ranks, becoming Professor of Performing Arts and African Literature in 2000. He was also Vice Dean for Programming and Academic Affairs and Head of Department of Arts and Archaeology in the same university. You’re going on retirement at the end of this month after more than three decades of teaching. What has it been like? I have actually been working for over 40 years. I began in 1972 when I was posted to the university as secondary school teacher to teach English to Francophones. Two years later – in 1974 – I became an Assistant Lecturer. I’ve had an interesting time, rising through all the grades to become a professor. Would you say you had a fulfilled career? I feel quite fulfilled with my career because I love teaching – imparting knowledge. I’m also in cinematography. I have done workshops with people in various parts of Cameroon, beginning from Limbe and Muyuka in the South West Region to the North and x Far North Regions. So, I have visited nearly all parts of Cameroon, holding workshops with ordinary village people on techniques of theatre for development. I have taught or introduced them to using theatre in human rights activities, women’s rights, early pregnancy and marriages amongst young girls, the education of the girl child, democracy... In short, we have worked in many areas. You didn’t get involved in partisan issues like some of your colleagues. What prompted such a decision? I was very interested in teaching at the university, not in doing politics. So, I decided to concentrate on my teaching job. In fact, I was asked a number of times to go and campaign for one party or the other, but I refused because I didn’t want to get involved in political matters. The way politics is done in our society is not really healthy. You have to tell lies, say things that you don’t believe in. I don’t believe in such things. I decided to steer clear of politics because it was an area I found to be very slippery and dangerous. I need my sleep when I go to bed. To stand in public and promise people something and to face them tomorrow without having done it is what I wanted to avoid. That is why I decided to stay away from what to me is a dangerous game. I don’t envy those who do politics, but I can’t do it. Did the decision have to do with your integrity? Yes, definitely because I think a lot about myself, my conscience and I don’t see myself standing in public and making a declaration that people will prove wrong. Generally, when I make promises, I like to keep them. For instance, when I was president of my village development committee, we promised water for the village, galvanised the people and gave them water and they have been expanding on that. I’m waiting for other people to take the baton and provide other facilities for people in the village. At least in my time, I did my best. Apart from the water plant, we also expanded the hospital, got some equipment for secondary schools and other things. Those are the types of things that I like to do and not to make empty promises which cannot be kept. xi Is such concern for integrity borne out of your religious upbringing? Religion ... and it can also be genetic. My parents died when I was still four...