SDF founding son Benjamin Fru Ndi recounts party’s birth from brotherhood, bold vision same 35years on

Monday, 26 May 2025, marks 35 years since the Social Democratic Front (SDF) stormed the political landscape in Cameroon, ushering in a new era of opposition politics. What began as an audacious act of defiance on the streets of Bamenda in 1990 has now become an enduring symbol of political pluralism in the country.

Benjamin Fru Ndi in their Baba  II mausoleum beside memorial wreath for his late mother Rose Fru Ndi 

As part of its coverage of the 35th anniversary of the SDF, Hilltopvoices had a conversation with Benjamin Fru Ndi, son of the late National Chairman, Ni John Fru Ndi, who led the party from inception until his passing on 12 June 2023. Though only a child at the time of the party’s launch, Benjamin’s recollections offer a unique, intimate portrait of the early days of the SDF and the men and women whose convictions changed

 Cameroon’s political narrative.

“It feels so real. It doesn’t feel like it’s been that long. It just feels like yesterday.  I remember asking, ‘What’s going on? Why are all these people here? Why? Is our life about to change forever?" Benjamin said as he began reflecting on the 35th anniversary.

Benjamin recalls the calm but firm voice of his father explaining, in simple words, what politics meant. 

“We are trying to make life better for others. These people you see are your brothers and sisters we are working together for a better future.” the elder Fru Ndi had said

Benjamin Fru Ndi in their Baba II mausoleum beside memorial wreath for his late father Ni John Fru Ndi 

Those early days, Benjamin remembers, were filled not just with political organising but also with outstanding personal moments. 

“The night before the launch, I was more interested in talking science with the late Dr Azefor, who was a geologist. It was not politics, it was just curiosity and human connection,” he said.

That connection, he emphasised, was at the heart of the SDF's birth. 

“What brought the SDF to life was not politics first. It was friendship, brotherhood, genuine, deep conversations among people who shared convictions. Before politics came into the picture, they were friends who sat and asked, ‘How can we do better?" Benjamin noted.

Benjamin Fru Ndi addressing mourners at father's funeral event in Bamenda 

From the beginning, the SDF was a response to the national malaise, a call for justice, equity, and decentralised governance. 

“They had moved past just complaining. They decided to act. They stuck to their truth maintaining that we could build a society based on equal opportunities.” Benjamin said with firm voice 

The camaraderie between founding members, many of whom have since passed on, was not forged in the heat of politics, but in bonds that transcended ideology. 

“They were family. We shared meals. The connection was beyond mere political strategy. It was conviction, born of experience and a vision of what Cameroon could become,” he explained.

Asked whether the founding fathers would be proud of the party today, Benjamin paused, then responded “They would be proud. They went against all odds. That takes courage. From a group of intellectuals and friends to a national movement, it was not a small feat.”

He is quick to challenge the perception that the SDF is now merely a relic of its former self. 

“We are not peripheral. The SDF remains at the centre of conversations that can truly transform Cameroon. It was never about offices or positions. The goal was always to bring power closer to the people.”

Benjamin Fru Ndi with late Father's picture at funeral service in Bamenda 2023

Benjamin highlighted the party’s strong advocacy for federalism as a critical pathway to real development. 

“The current system is broken. Even the best intentions are lost in bureaucracy. If local communities had more power to decide their own fate, we would not be stuck in endless cycles of inefficiency.”

For him, the SDF’s core message remains relevant. 

“This is not about replacing one elite with another. We are advocating for a system where people at the grassroots can hold leaders accountable and determine their own development priorities. That is why federalism matters. That is why we are still here.” he emphasised 

In lighter moments, Benjamin fondly recalled how the founding fathers relaxed after intense meetings. “They had their own way of recharging after meetings... their concoctions” he laughed. 

Thirty-five years on, the Social Democratic Front stands at a crossroads though still a symbol of resistance, still calling for change, and still grounded in the ideals of its founders. And through voices like Benjamin Fru Ndi’s, the spirit of that fateful day in Bamenda lives on: not just in history books, but in the memories of those who felt its tremors at home.

By Bakah Derick In Baba II

Email: hilltopvoicesnewspaper@gmail.com 

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