By Marie N. Carnu
The iconic former journalist and TV host at Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV), famously associated with the “TAM-TAM” Weekend program, Rose Mbole Epie, journeys us through her career, personal experiences, and the legacy she leaves behind in Cameroonian media.
A False Death Announcement
After her official retirement from CRTV, Rose Epie’s absence from “TAM-TAM” Weekend left many speculating about her whereabouts.
Silence surrounded her life until March 22, 2024, when news of her supposed death spread across social media.
Completely unaware of the rumors, Epie’s life took an unexpected turn as family and friends reached out in shock.
“I checked my phone and discovered my cousin, who is the Inspector General at MINAT, had called me many times. I asked myself, ‘Why would Divine call me this many times?’ When I called back, he said, ‘Sister, you will live long.’ I asked what was happening, and he said, ‘But they announced you are dead’,” she said.
Messages and missed calls flooded her WhatsApp and neighbors knock at her gate, crying.
Reflecting on this incident, Epie remarked, “It was after the announcement of my death that I discovered so many people loved me.”
Family Legacy
Born on October 15, 1954, as a twin in Mbam-Song in the North West Region, Rose Epie is the third of eight children.
Her father, Martin Ekwoge Epie, holds historical significance as the first Anglophone Ambassador in Cameroon.
Despite her parents’ separation, she described her father as a loving figure who played both paternal and maternal roles.
Epie’s admiration for her late brother, Charles Ekoge (aka Etube Anyang), a civil servant and renowned musician of the 1980s, is evident.
Together, they created music, with notable tracks like “Take a Step.”
“Every time I speak of my brother, I want to cry,” she said, mourning his untimely death at 45 due to poisoning.
With heartfelt emotion, she added, “Your music continues to live, and people will continue to love you for who you are, who you were, and what you gave them. I hope you are resting in peace and happier wherever you are.”
Educational Journey
Epie’s education took her across continents.
After primary school in Cameroon, she attended secondary schools in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Egypt before earning her degrees at the University of Melvin and the University of Ottawa in Canada.
CRTV Career of Determination and Excellence
Rose Epie’s journey into journalism began with encouragement from a neighbor who admired her command of English.
Despite her initial dreams of becoming a nurse, she joined CRTV in 1978 after passing a competitive recruitment exam.
She started at the radio house, hosting programs like “Launch and Date” and “Music of the World”.
However, her career faced challenges, including a three-year salary suspension due to an administrative mix-up.
She later worked at Fru Ndi’s BB Bookshop before joining USAID, where she gained expertise in audiovisual production.
At CRTV, Epie rose through the ranks, hosting programs like “Focus on Arts”, “Telepodium”, “Tropicana”, and the iconic “TAM-TAM Weekend”.
However, her tenure was marked by challenges, including workplace politics. Management continued to reassign her without prior notice.
Reflecting on this, she said, “When you work at CRTV, you do what they ask you to do.”
A Voice for Recognition at CRTV
Epie remains vocal about the lack of acknowledgement for those who laid the foundation for CRTV’s success.
“The public appreciated us, but CRTV has never recognized our work,” she stated.
Rose Mbole Epie’s story is one of resilience, love for her craft, and the determination to leave an enduring mark on Cameroonian journalism.
Her legacy as a pioneering media personality lives on, even in the face of false rumors and professional challenges.
