Views sampled by Grace Ongey
Pa Augustine Paul Valembe-Bonjonjo
We were about 39 of us when Sasse started but I cannot remember very well. I grew up as an orphan and I came to Sasse through a Common Entrance Examination in the hay days when we were attached to Southern Cameroons. At that time it was all bushy here, not like it is today. We had no cooks, so we did fend for ourselves young as we were. We had to cut fresh wood and cook for ourselves. On public celebrations we marched barefoot in our uniforms. It was tough. I left Sasse because of financial difficulties.
The fee at the time was 15 pounds and since I was an orphan I could not afford the money. I was in Sasse just for one year. Sasse is now a modern beautiful college and I praise the Catholic Education authorities. I am highly elated and thank God for this occasion. Government does not give subventions as it used to. The Church has to struggle to make ends meet and that accounts for the slow pace of development in Sasse. Young people today have a handicap because the Church too is handicapped. We have lost our traditional system of life wherein the family has the responsibility over children. People have been taken astray by the evil one-money. With proper moral upbringing we can resist the temptations of the world. I am happy that at 86 years I am alive to witness this great event.
Engineer Valentine Itor - Vice Principal 2004-2008
Sasse has a characteristic spirit that is difficult to die. Whenever I come here I still see the spirit that goes through the ages. It has not changed. There is still the expectation of excellence. When we talk to the children we discover that they are still yearning for excellence like those in the past. As for the future, the staff and school administration should work harder and try to establish closer links and co-operation with the ex-students who are excellent in helping the institution in all domains. We were actually the first school in the diocese and in the region to have internet facilities. Our students have been using New Information and Communication technologies for their education. Blending the new and old technology is what will make Sasse remain great.
Dr Evaristus Enongene- 1971 batch
I am representing SOBA America for the 70th anniversary and we are glad to be here to partake in this important event. As we know Sasse is basically the pacesetter for all schools in Anglophone Cameroon and Cameroon in general. That is why we call Sasse "The Harvard of Cameroon". We are here not only to recount how far we have gone but also to build this institution to become a university. We are, however, disappointed that many things we set in pace have not gone as we would have liked and part of it is our fault. We have given a blind eye to many happenings and Sasse is an institution that should be as a mother, a mango tree that children come and get ripe fruits. Through out the years we have tried our best to help uplift this institution. We are however disappointed that there are other people in the background who do not have Sasse at heart and we hope that the Bishop, Immanuel Bushu, will help uproot these people and bring those who will help foster the growth of this institution. We have many people in mind who we will suggest to the Bishop to take a good look at because they are foxes in the vineyard and we need to rid them. Sasse has to be Sasse not people's ego to bring greed and divide people. We are all doing this with love because we want this institution to be the best in the world.
Cdt Augustine Njotsa 1963-67
70 years is not 70 days. Sasse College is the oldest secondary school in the country, both sides of the Mungo. It is a day to celebrate. From 1939 till date the college has progressed, but unfortunately in the last years Sasse is not being given the place it deserves as the pacesetter because of some people who do not think that Sasse should progress this fast. As the PTA president there is the foundation of a 600 bed dormitory which was put up some 3 years ago and the work has been suspended for a reason I do not know. The present infrastructure that the school has was meant for 300 to 350 students, but today we have 1020 students for the same infrastructure. So you can imagine how these children are sleeping. We need to do something to move Sasse forward not only with the construction of dormitories, but also the provision of other amenities. By the time I got into Sasse it was 25 years old. I think I am fortunate to have been a student during the 25th anniversary, an old boy during the 50th anniversary and the PTA chairman during the 70th anniversary and why not by the 75th anniversary we will still be there by God's grace.
Chief Albert Ngwana
I am very proud to be here today as Sasse celebrates 70 years of its existence. I am not a very old student because I came here in 1950. We are proud because Sasse has maintained a reputation. In our days emphasis was on discipline. There is still a lot of discipline now, but I would like to see the discipline improved because there are certain actions that children are taking now that never happened in our days. We want them to be more disciplined and sensitive to the future. Sasse College has produced the best brains in Cameroon, from bishops through to intellectuals and others. It is the mother college of this country and we will like to see Sasse transformed into a university in the future. I was not fortunate to be here during the 50th anniversary. God willing I shall be here during the 75th anniversary.
Pa Joseph Njombo Abwa-Mboh -1945
At 70 years it is fantastic from the look of things and in terms of development and the personnel it has produced. Unfortunately, nearly all my classmates are gone but all the same I had to make it here. Most of this area in front of the main building used to be a grave yard and we were punished to remove stones from there. When I look at Sasse today I am very happy because my grandson is also here. I am happy all the same meeting other old friends.
Bishop Immanuel Bushu
We are looking forward to the 75th anniversary. There are a lot of ideas that are brought forward as concerns the university college. We are just hoping that the Catholic provincial university which is already applied for in the Ministry and the other ones too, if they give us the go ahead, then this will just be great.
Fr Aloysius Ndifor-Principal
It is a great time most especially for those who have made 70 years after passing through this college. It is quite a memorable day. Highlighting 70 years is just an ongoing celebration because we are looking forward to the 75th anniversary and who knows maybe when we will be celebrating 100 years, I will be coming here as an ex-principal of the college if God permits. Sasse is a good college and stands tall. Sasse is in stiff competition and if we are to clap for Sasse it is because at old age, it is still waxing strong among the new colleges. The Sasse University College is good news as we are actually lacking when it comes to higher education in Cameroon. It is quite a challenge to the powers that be and SOBANS as well but we hope to realise this dream.
Prof Moukoko Mbonjo-Board chair CIMENCAM
Sasse has a reputation of academic excellence. I happened to have served as director of cabinet of former students of Sasse College for former Prime Minister Peter Mafany Musonge. We came here 10 years ago to launch the water project and I was really impressed and I told the principal that I will send my last son to Sasse. I think I am part of the Sasse family now. I have really enjoyed my stay here today as I took part in the Holy Mass, the march past and lunch.
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