Seventy eight-year-old Cameroonian musical legend, Anne Marie Ndzie, has called on Cameroonian artists to adopt positive attitudes in the composition and presentation of their artistic works.

The sexagenarian was speaking Nov 24 during a press briefing in Yaounde marking weeklong activities of her 60 years musical career. The press briefing held under the auspices of the Minister of Culture, Ama Tutu Muna.

The musician who has been described by another renowned Cameroonian artist, Bebe Manga, as "a complete artist," kept the crowd spell bound with her songs and intriguing answers during a question and answer session at the National Library. The weeklong activities, which have been placed under the Ministry of Culture, follow instructions from the Head of State, President Paul Biya. The weeklong activities are aimed at celebrating the life of the pioneer female musician in Cameroon and to promote her works.

Anne Marie Ndzie's Path To Fame

Known nationally and internationally for her catching musical piece, Liberté, Anne Marie Nzie is said to have been the pioneer female musician in the national landscape. It was noticed as far back as in 1958 that she was the first lady to be indulged in music.

The Post learnt that she started playing music at the age of 18. She is the first Cameroonian musician to have recorded her works with a renowned French production house, Blue Label Indigo.

Her international career started in 1968 in Paris with the recording of an Album with Gilbert Becaud and later signed a contract with the House of Disque Pathe Marconi. From there she went to Libreville and to Algers in 1969 for the Pan African Cultural Festival.

Later, she was privileged to be part of a Cameroonian cultural week in Dakar in 1975 and in Lagos in 1977. It was after these experiences that she recorded her famous artistic piece christened Liberté in 1984. The piece of work recorded massive success that almost changed the lifestyle of Anne Marie Ndzie. From there she was present almost in all concerts in Cameroon especially at the French Cultural Centre where she later worked.

Quizzed if she knew the late South African Legendary singer, Miriam Makeba, she answered. "If you want me to cry, I will do. Miram Makeba was my friend and colleague. We started the career together and we were together when she was invited here in Cameroon. We were also together in Bruxells. We sang in France, Algeria and everywhere. She even bought me a loin in Algeria as a sign of love. I feel bad about her passing away".

Given her excellent performance in France, the French government honoured her through a presidential decree naming her 'chevalier de la legion d'honneur,' in May 2000. The Cameroon government on its part also recognised the fine works of Anne Marie Ndzie and offered her a house at the Cite Verte neighbourhood in Yaounde. Also, President Paul Biya ordered weeklong celebrations in honour of the heroine with the aim of promoting her works.