By Brian Mhoh | The Herald Tribune
Renowned Cameroonian writer and educationist, K.K. Bonteh, has released a new book titled The Diary of Chicha: The Teacher’s Testament. The 207-page work, published under the Bonteh Academy imprint, is already being described as both a literary testament and a moving chronicle of the burdens and triumphs of the teaching profession.
In an exclusive interview with The Herald Tribune, Bonteh explained that the book shines a light on the often-overlooked struggles and sacrifices of teachers. “Teachers carry heavy loads for society,” he said. “They rise each morning with chalk in hand, determined to light another lamp, even as they face poor working conditions, low pay, and social ridicule. Yet, with unyielding devotion, they continue to teach.”
The narrative, presented in diary form, captures the voice of Chicha—a symbolic teacher figure—whose experiences mirror those of countless educators around the world. Through Chicha’s eyes, readers encounter the invisible burdens of teachers, their quiet endurance, and their profound impact on society.
Bonteh uses proverbs, metaphors, and lived experiences to underscore the teacher’s role. “When society begins to ignore the teacher, it endangers its own future,” he warns. An African proverb, quoted in the book, reinforces the point: “When the drummer changes the rhythm, the dancer must change the steps.”
A Tradition of Bold Storytelling
The Diary of Chicha adds to Bonteh’s growing catalogue of thought-provoking works. His earlier publications include:
- Journey to Nanga-Eboko: A Tale of Chaos, Culture, and Change – a travel memoir and cultural critique.
- The Gaffer’s Risk – a satirical examination of authority and power dynamics.
- The Sleeping Comrade – a political allegory exploring silence and complicity in governance.
Each of these works, like The Diary of Chicha, blends social commentary with literary artistry, earning Bonteh a reputation as one of Cameroon’s most significant contemporary voices.
Literature as a Duty
Asked what inspires his writing, Bonteh reflected:
“Literature, for me, carries an obligation. It is the writer’s duty to teach, to remind, and to give voice to what society often forgets. A society that forgets its teachers is like a child that denies its mother’s breast.”
Through The Diary of Chicha, Bonteh seeks to remind readers—students, parents, leaders, and citizens—that teachers are the heartbeat of progress. Their stories, too often neglected, deserve to be told with dignity and urgency.
