Visits by Deputy Lord Mayor Honore Kamegni

Photo: Deputy Lord Mayor Honore Kamegni with BRIJ volunteers.

It’s been an exciting few weeks as Deputy Lord Mayor Honore Kamegni has been visiting centres in Cork, with plans to visit more in the coming weeks and months.

Cllr Kamegni is from Cameroon in Central Africa, and moved to Ireland in 2002 as an asylum seeker where he met his wife, Viviane. They moved to Cork in 2005 where Cllr Kamegni worked as a postman for 14 years before entering local politics.

Cllr Kamegni is the first black person elected to Cork City Council and to the office of Deputy Lord Mayor. He self describes his as a true story of social justice, achieved through hard work. He encouraged that residents consider the impact that they want to make, to work hard, wait for nothing, and to look after themselves and their families. He also encouraged everyone to aim to inspire future generations, to volunteer, and get involved their local communities.

Cllr Kamegni was inspired to campaign as a Green Party member after he saw a photo of the Cork City Councillors, none of whom were black. This was not representative of the diverse and multi-cultural Cork City. During his campaign, Cllr Kamegni knocked on 15,000 doors in his constituency, Cork City South East, over a fourteen month period. He was elected in June 2024.