It is often said by positive thinkers and self-help advocates that it is good to dream big, think big, believe big and act big! The world has been witness to the realization of a Kenyan, African-American’s dream to hold the highest office in the United States. This time it is a Cameroonian turned American, who is vying to be mayor of the capital of the world’s most powerful democracy.
In an Interview with Entrepreneur News Online, ENO, Mr Djonkam Nestor opens up about his aspirations and achievemnents and how beneficial they can be to Cameroon.
ENO: Who is Nestor Djonkam? Mr Djonkam: I was born in Manjo, located in the Mungo division of the Littoral Province. I attended primary and secondary school in Cameroon, before pursuing my dream to move to the U.S. I am a solar system engineer and a politician.
ENO: What is your motivation to become Mayor of Washington, DC? Mr Djonkam: I tried the first time and failed in 2006, and i think i should not give up on my dream. I equally want to prove to the world that Africans have potentials and we can be whatever we want to be, rather than have a negative portrait.
ENO: What qualifies you to be mayor of Washington, DC? Mr Djonkam:I have been involved in the democratic system in the United States for about 20 years. I have taken part in five presidential campaigns, three senetorial and mayorial campaigns. I believe i have acquired enough experence and exposure and so i asked, ‘Why not me?’
ENO: What was your previous campaign like in 2006? Mr Djonkam: I did have some challenges. I lost in the primaries but was encouraged by the acheivement. I was the first African ever in 250 years, to qualify as a candidate for mayor in Washington,DC. I will run again in 2010.
ENO: Why not seek to be mayor in Cameroon? Mr Djonkam:My priority is Washington,DC. If i succeed all Cameroonians living in DC will benefit from my programs. Cameroonians at home would be proud to have someone of their origin in that position, and i would seek partnerships in the course of visits to Cameroon to see how i can help.
ENO: How else can Cameroonans benefit from your election? Mr Djonkam: The programs i plan to implement would attract Cameroonian investors to Washington, DC. There shall be trade relations that could yield seminars and job training.
ENO: What have you achieved for your Country so far? Mr Djonkam:I have contributed greatly to promote the image of Cameroon in the U.S. I initiated the hosting of the Cameroon flag in Washington DC every 20th of May- Cameroon is the 1st African Country and the third in the world to have that privilege. It is a legacy in U.S politics to have convinced the U.S authorities to do that.
Secondly, i coordinated the Cameroonian-American Outreach Organization for 4 years (1998-2001), as a lobby group to promote relations between both Countries. I had to dissolve it at some point, in order to preserve my electoral identity as an American citizen.
ENO: What does it take to be candidate for mayor in the United States? Mr Djonkam: Basically, a candidate must be at least 18 years old, a resident of Washington, DC for up to a year, have a clean background such as no criminal record, involvement with drugs or served a jail term and should gather 3000 signatures from DC Democratic voters. I meet all those criteria.