On Tuesday 16 September 2025, Hon. Joshua, SDF’s presidential candidate, addressed his supporters in a Facebook post titled “I am talking to you, Yes to you”. The candidate shared the post in both French and Cameroonian Pidgin, aiming to reach diverse linguistic audiences. Twelve hours later, the posts registered strikingly different levels of engagement, highlighting the power of language in political communication.
12 hours after the post was made at the time of this article,
- French version: ~300 reactions, 113 comments, 4.7K views
- Pidgin version: >600 reactions, 191 comments, 10.3K views
Observers note that the Pidgin post not only attracted more than double the reactions but also nearly doubled the number of views and comments, signalling a higher level of audience interaction and resonance.
The data indicates that Pidgin, widely spoken in the Anglophone regions, particularly the North West and South West, points to a stronger cultural and emotional connection with voters. The direct and inclusive phrasing of “I am talking to you, Yes to you” appears to resonate more deeply in pidgin than in French, which, while essential for national coverage, may feel more formal and less personal to some audiences.
Social media metrics are increasingly becoming a barometer for political messaging effectiveness. Higher engagement in the Pidgin post demonstrates;
More comments suggest the audience is not only reading but discussing the candidate’s message.
The Pidgin post’s 10.3K views indicate strong shareability, which could amplify grassroots mobilisation and
Reactions indicate that the messaging is striking an emotional chord, critical in regions affected by conflict.
As to what this means for the SDF campaign, targeting pidgin-speaking regions could solidify Joshua’s support base, French posts remain necessary for national appeal, but content may require stylistic adjustments to boost engagement and Social media allows indirect campaigning in areas where on-ground political activity is constrained.
Hilltopvoices analysts caution that early social media engagement may not directly translate into votes. Limited internet access in some rural areas and the potential for online “echo chambers” mean that these metrics are indicative but not definitive.
However, Hon. Joshua’s dual-language post illustrates the importance of culturally and linguistically tailored political messaging in Cameroon. The higher engagement in Pidgin provides clear evidence that localised communication can increase visibility, dialogue, and emotional connection with voters which is a factor the SDF campaign is likely to prioritise in the lead-up to the 12 October 2025 presidential election.
By Hilltopvoices Newsroom
Email: hilltopvoicesnewspaper@gmail.com
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