Bandy Kiki
Bandy Kiki | |
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Born | Emily Kinaka Banadzem 20 February 1991 |
Alma mater | University of Yaounde 1[citation needed] |
Occupations |
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Website | kinnakasblog |
Bandy Kiki is a Cameroonian blogger, LGBT activist and a serial entrepreneur based in the U.K.[1][2] She is the creator of Kinnaka's Blog, a high traffic English-speaking website in Cameroon for news and entertainment.[3][4] She is a controversial figure due to her political views and LGBT activism, and has been called "The Most Hated Anglophone On Social Media in Cameroon."[5]
Background
Kiki was born Emily Kinaka Banadzem on February 20, 1991 in Jakiri Cameroon.[citation needed]
Career
Kiki started her career as a blogger in the UK, in a daily published online blog Kinnaka’s Blog and Kinnaka’s TV, launched in 2015.[5][6] Her blog is one of the most frequented by anglophone Cameroonians.[7] In 2016, she was listed among the 50 most influential Cameroonian youths under the age of 40 by Avance Media, CELBMD Africa and partners.[8][unreliable source?] Kiki was crowned Best Cameroonian Media CAMEEA in 2015 and won "Best 2016 Blogger" from Diaspora Entertainment Awards.[9] Kiki is a spokesperson for the Rainbow Equality Hub, an NGO that supports LGBT people in Cameroon.[3] In 2017, she was nominated for best African Blogger of the Year Award By AWA.[9] In a May 2017 interview, Kiki announced she would be assisting Irène Major with the Gay in Africa Foundation.[10] She also gave an interview to the Humen Online[11] Hungarian gay magazine, which is also available in Hungarian language.[12]
Controversy and attacks
She was criticized for her controversial post on her blog following the ongoing 2016–2017 Cameroonian protests.[1] She received extensive abuse online, including the spread of unsubstantiated rumors claiming Kiki was HIV-positive and that she is an agent of the Cameroon government attempting to sabotage the ongoing crisis. Kiki has denied those claims.[13] Kiki has been criticized for being gay and supporting LGBT rights in Cameroon.[1][14][15] In one example, film producer Agbor Gilbert Ebot stated that ''...If I catch you for Cameroon, I go 'rape' you well well so that di demon of lesbianism go comot for your body…I get plans to give you belle..."[1] She has been the subject of death threats.[7]
Personal life
In 2017, Kiki announced her engagement to Becky, a 30–31 year old Cameroonian living in the UK.[4]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d "Cameroon: Gay blogger no get any regret". BBC News Pidgin. 2017-11-18. Retrieved 2018-03-06.
- ^ Cee, Cee (2017-10-05). "Cameroonian Blogger Bandy Kiki Takes LGBTQ Activism To The Next Level Despite Threats From Her Community". Ear Hustle 411. Archived from the original on 2017-10-08. Retrieved 2018-01-27.
- ^ a b Marchant, Apai-Ketuya (2017-11-09). "I'm African and a Lesbian: Get over it". Artefact. Retrieved 2018-03-06.
- ^ a b Ngomba, Joan (2017-10-14). "Kinnaka's Blog CEO Bandy Kiki is engaged: 4 things to know about her girlfriend". Dcoded TV. Retrieved 2018-03-07.
- ^ a b "Is Bandy Kiki (of Kinnaka's Blog) The Most Hated Anglophone On Social Media in Cameroon?". 2017-02-09. Archived from the original on 2018-06-20. Retrieved 2018-03-06.
- ^ Ngomba, Joan (2017-10-14). "Kinnaka's Blog founder, Bandy Kiki comes out as gay". Dcoded TV. Retrieved 2018-03-07.
- ^ a b Cee, Cee (2017-02-13). "Cameroonian Blogger, Bandy Kiki Wrongly Labelled 'Aids Patient' Due To Her Stand On Ongoing Political Unrest In Southern Cameroon". Ear Hustle 411. Archived from the original on 2017-02-14. Retrieved 2018-03-07.
- ^ "Full list of 50 most influential young Cameroonians 2016 nominees". CameroonWeb. Retrieved 2018-03-06.
- ^ a b Thatchers, Henriette. "UK Based Cameroonian Maverick Blogger Kiki Bandy Nominated For Best African Blogger Of The Year Award By AWA". Henriette Thatcher's Lounge. Retrieved 2018-03-06.
- ^ "Exclusive: Blogger Bandy KIKI Defends Her Support For Homosexuals". Cameroon News Agency. 2017-05-26. Archived from the original on 2017-06-07. Retrieved 2018-03-07.
- ^ "Life is not a bed of roses when you are African, black and a lesbian". Humen Online (in Hungarian). Retrieved 2018-06-20.
- ^ "Nem egy leányálom, ha egyszerre vagy fekete, afrikai és leszbikus". Humen Online (in Hungarian). 2017-12-11. Retrieved 2018-06-20.
- ^ "Was Tapang Ivo and Mark Bareta Involved in "Shady Deals?" Or is Kiki Bandy Just Having a Crush on The Boys? | The Cameroon Daily Journal". Cameroon Journal. Retrieved 2018-03-06.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Cover Star: LGBT Activist, Bandy Kiki". The Rustin Times. 2017-09-17. Retrieved 2018-03-06.
- ^ "CAMEROONIAN BLOGGER BANDY KIKI ANNOUNCES THAT SHE'S A LESBIAN AND IS ENGAGED TO BE MARRIED! - THE HOTJEM | Africa's #1 Fashion, Lifestyle, Entertainment Magazine". thehotjem.com. Retrieved 2018-03-06.
External links
- Official website
- Bandy Kiki's channel on YouTube
- Bandy Kiki Speaks On Kinnaka TV, French Colonization of Cameroon, Unity & Self Hate on YouTube