Bandy Kiki

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]

Bandy Kiki
Born
Emily Kinaka Banadzem

(1991-02-20) 20 February 1991
Jakiri, Cameroon
Alma materUniversity of Yaounde
Occupation
  • Blogger
  • Entrepreneur
  • LGBT activist
Websitekinnakasblog.com

Background

Kiki was born Emily Kinaka Banadzem on February 20, 1991 in Jakiri Cameroon.

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] 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 26–27 year old Cameroonian living in the UK.[4]

See also

References
  1. "Cameroon: Gay blogger no get any regret". BBC News Pidgin. 2017-11-18. Retrieved 2018-03-06.
  2. 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.
  3. Marchant, Apai-Ketuya (2017-11-09). "I'm African and a Lesbian: Get over it". Artefact. Retrieved 2018-03-06.
  4. 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.
  5. "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.
  6. Ngomba, Joan (2017-10-14). "Kinnaka's Blog founder, Bandy Kiki comes out as gay". Dcoded TV. Retrieved 2018-03-07.
  7. 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.
  8. "Full list of 50 most influential young Cameroonians 2016 nominees". CameroonWeb. Retrieved 2018-03-06.
  9. 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.
  10. "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.
  11. "Life is not a bed of roses when you are African, black and a lesbian". Humen Online (in Hungarian). Retrieved 2018-06-20.
  12. "Nem egy leányálom, ha egyszerre vagy fekete, afrikai és leszbikus". Humen Online (in Hungarian). 2017-12-11. Retrieved 2018-06-20.
  13. "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.
  14. "Cover Star: LGBT Activist, Bandy Kiki". The Rustin Times. 2017-09-17. Retrieved 2018-03-06.
  15. "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.


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