The first black man to be elected as a Cork City councillor has said he hopes to pave the way for future generations.
Honore Kamegni was one of several candidates from migrant backgrounds to be successful in the local elections.
The father-of-two, who is originally from Cameroon, has lived in Ireland since 2002.
He said his work as a postman in the Douglas and Rochestown areas for 14 years served him well when out canvassing, which he began more than a year before polling day on June 7th.
“That’s true, I used to be a postman in my constituency, so I know the people, I know the issues,” he told the PA news agency, sporting an Ireland hoodie and a Green Party badge.
After the 12th count, I am ELECTED. I am proud to represent this Great Party.
Up the GREEN PARTY! pic.twitter.com/m2OpMIHCyx— Cllr. Honore Kamegni (@HonoreKamegni) June 9, 2024
“So when I went back to most of them, they remembered me and they were very happy to see me standing and to be able to continue to serve them in a different field this time.”
Asked about how he was seen as almost famous in his local area when serving as a postman, he said: “Whatever you do in life, you should give 200 per cent if you can.
“I was just doing my job properly and correctly. Thanks to my hard work, it has paid off, and I want to say thank you to all of the beautiful people in my constituency who put their trust in me.”
He added: “The canvassing was tough going, very difficult, very long – I’ve been canvassing for 14 months, since April 2023.
“So I’ve knocked on 15,000 doors because I said to myself the goal is to talk to every single resident in my constituency, to know them and for them to know me.
“I believe that to represent people they should know you and you should know them.”
The Green Party councillor said he was always sympathetic to “green” policies, and became active in the party in 2022.
Asked if he felt there was a backlash to climate change policies while canvassing, he said: “I got people questioning the Green Party policy, that’s true, and it’s their right to.
“We live in a democratic society, so if they’re not happy with something, that’s why I’m there. To get their feedback on any issue that they have and try to find a better solution to the issues that they have.”
Mr Kamegni, who has spoken about abuse he received on social media during his election campaign, said the number of candidates from migrant backgrounds who have been elected is a sign that Irish people are “rejecting all the hatred” online.
“It’s a good sign, it’s a sign that Ireland is part of the global world now, Cork is part of the global world as well.
“It’s a sign that people are rejecting all the hatred, all the hostility that’s going on online. We shouldn’t divide ourselves, completely the contrary, we need to be a team.
“Thank you to all those who put their trust in me, I will continue to work very, very hard to continue to serve you and I want my election to serve as a pathway to the future generation.”
