Solange Yijika is a Cameroonian actress[1][2][3][4][5] also much present in the Nigerian theatre[6] and film producer,[7] as well as an activist for women and children's rights.[8] She is the most celebrated actress in the Central African sub-region and the main figure of the Cameroon International Film Festival (CAMIFF).[9]

Solange Yijika
Born
Solange Yijika

Alma materUniversity of Yaoundé II
Occupation(s)Actress, activist, film producer
Years active2005-present
Known forExpression the Courage to Heal (2017)

Life and education

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Yijika hails from North West Cameroon.[10] She graduated from the University of Yaoundé II, Soa, Cameroon.[11]

Career

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Yijika had been an important face in the Cameroon Film Industry since her first appearance about the year 2005. In two anti-malaria campaign posters in Cameroon sponsored by the Global Fund for the fight against Malaria, Tuberculosis and AIDS, she was used as a model in the posters.[11] She is also a global justice activist for women and children. She was an ambassador of the first edition of the Cameroon International Film Festival (CAMIFF) in 2016.[8]

Yijika had featured in the Cameroonian movie industry in many productions numbering about 20 and is a recipient of many award nominations including AMAA and NAFCA awards.[12]

She starred in the "Trials of Passion" 2006 TV Series, shown on CRTV, in which she played the role of "Diana". She afterwards in 2008 featured in "Mark of the Absolute", a movie which Asaba Ferdinand directed and produced. Next was the 2009 "Land of Shadows", a movie produced by Agbor Gilbert Ebot and directed by Zack Orji and Neba Lawrence. The film also featured Jim Iyke. That same year, she also again featured in the movie "Great Pain" directed by Neba Lawrence, and later, still in the same year featured in "Royal Destiny", a Cameroonian movie which also featured Emeka Ike and Tonto Dikeh, two Nollywood actors. She, in 2012 featured in "Troubled Kingdom", a movie directed by Neba Lawrence, co-produced by the US-based film producer Mairo Sanda and South African-based Fred K. Keyanti - who praised the actress's expertise.[11]

Still in 2012, she was starred in the Nollywood movie, "Blood or Wine", produced by Henry Neba Awantoh and Jim Iyke and directed by Neba Lawrence, screenwritten by Ruth Kadiri.[13]

In 2013, she was nomination for the SONNAH Awards.[6]

She appeared in the movie, "Decoded", produced by Brenda Elung - also an actress and directed by Akim Macaulay and Enah Johnscott in 2013, in which she acted alongside both Ghanaian and Cameroonian actors such as Van Vicker, Jeffery Epule and Desmond Wyte.[14]

She was one of the two moderators on the Panel Discussion at the 2016 edition of the African Achievers Awards Ceremony, held on July 8 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, Nigeria alongside Richard Mofe Damijo, a Nigerian actor and politician.[9][15]

In the 2017 movie, "Expression the Courage to Heal", directed by Musing Derick Tening and produced by Tessy Eseme, she played the role of "Jazmine Juma".[16] The movie was premiered in London.[17][18]

She was nominated for an award in the second edition of the CAMIFF Awards,[19] held between April 24–29, 2017 at Buea, Cameroon with other Camerwood and Nollywood actors also nominated.[20] She was one of the sponsors of the CAMIFF 2018 edition alongside Nollywood's Ramsey Nouah.[21]

Filmography

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Year Film Role Notes Ref.
2017 Expression the Courage to Heal
2017 - Samba TV series [22][23]
2013 Decoded
2012 Blood or Wine
Troubled Kingdom
2009 Royal Destiny
Great Pain
Land of Shadows
2008 Mark of the Absolute
2006 - Trials of Passion Diana TV series

Accolades

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Year Event Prize Recipient Result
2017 CAMIFF Nominated
2013 SONNAH Awards Nominated

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Top Cameroonian actress, Solange Yijika, is back (Photos)". CamerounWeb. January 22, 2016. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  2. ^ Kanjo, Ernest (September 19, 2009). "Solange Yijika: A Step Forward". Tip Top Stars. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  3. ^ "Meet 5 most talented young Cameroonian actresses". CamerounWeb. November 20, 2015. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  4. ^ Aiden, Mason. "Casting a "Behold the Dreamers" Movie". TVOM. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  5. ^ Musoro, Darlene (June 29, 2015). "INDUSTRY; BRENDA SHEY, THE "MOTHER HEN"". DC Communications. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  6. ^ a b "PEOPLE : SOLANGE YIJIKA, L'ACTRICE CAMEROUNAISE QUI S'EXPORTE". Le Film Camerounais. March 22, 2016. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  7. ^ "Atlanta Film Festival". Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  8. ^ a b "#5ACTWN : SOLANGE YIJIKA – ACTRICE". Le Film Camerounais. April 26, 2016. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  9. ^ a b Akpah, Prince (July 6, 2016). "2016 African Achievers Awards". The Nigerian Voice. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  10. ^ "North West Elite Call For Resumption Of Schools". Ocamer. April 20, 2020. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  11. ^ a b c Kanjo, Ernest (February 15, 2012). "Most desired Cameroonian actress in new movie". Tip Top Stars. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  12. ^ Nkeih, Precious Meshi (May 8, 2012). "Anglophone Celebs Shine at". Cameroon Postpone. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  13. ^ "Blood or Wine". Nollywood REinvented. May 5, 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  14. ^ "Cameroon Movie Industry Critically Awaits DECODED Movie". Pulse. October 16, 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  15. ^ Akpah, Prince (July 8, 2016). "Lordina Mahama, Agyepong, Sinach Set to Receive 2016 African Achievers Awards". Ghana Web. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  16. ^ "Expression the Courage to Heal". IMDb. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  17. ^ "Expression London Movie Premier". Design My Night. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  18. ^ Samuel, Amegavi (October 5, 2017). ""Expression" movie premieres in London on October 13, 2017 – Get more details here". Glam Africa. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  19. ^ Elf, An (February 4, 2017). "[VOTE]: BETWEEN THESE TOP CAMEROONIAN ANGLOPHONE ACTRESSES "WHO WILL STEAL THE SHOW AT THE UPCOMING CAMIFF"". Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  20. ^ "On the way to CAMIFF 2017". FabAfriq. February 4, 2018. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  21. ^ "Cinema: heading for the Camiff 2018". Cameroon Tribune. April 11, 2018. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  22. ^ "MEET CAMEROON'S FINEST FEMALE MOVIE PRODUCER: BRENDA ELUNG". Precious Core. April 16, 2016. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
  23. ^ "Samba (2017)". IMDb. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
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