27/12/2024
Top 20 South Sudanese of 2024: Celebrating excellence and impact
We are also celebrating the who have risen above adversity to inspire change, drive progress, and create a brighter future for their communities and the nation at large.
Hot in Juba and its sister publication Talk of Juba have annually been celebrating these remarkable individuals through the Top 20 South Sudanese listicle. This yearโs list is a continuation of our commitment to shining a light on those who, through their work and dedication, have transformed lives and changed narratives. From humanitarians and activists to politicians, entertainers, journalists, and more, these changemakers have become a beacon of hope and progress despite the challenges engulfing the country.
The achievements of these 20 individuals represent the heart and soul of South Sudanโa nation that refuses to let its struggles define its future. Their stories serve as an inspiration to all South Sudanese and as a testament to the power of perseverance, unity, and the unwavering desire to make a difference.
As we celebrate their accomplishments, we are reminded that every act of leadership, innovation, and compassion is a step toward building a brighter future for South Sudan. These are not just the leaders of today but the torchbearers of a better tomorrow.
We celebrate their work and dedication which has transformed lives and narratives across various sectors. From humanitarians and activists to politicians, entertainers, and journalists, these leaders and changemakers have left an indelible mark on South Sudan and beyond.
These 20 individuals represent the spirit of South Sudanโundaunted, creative, and determined to shape a better future. Their work is a testament to the power of resilience and the ability of ordinary people to do extraordinary things. As we celebrate their achievements, we are reminded that despite the challenges, hope and progress are always within reach.
The list:
๐. ๐๐ฎ๐จ๐ฅ ๐๐๐ง๐ โ ๐
๐จ๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ซ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฒ๐๐ซ/๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ข๐๐๐ง๐ญ, ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ง ๐๐๐ฌ๐ค๐๐ญ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ
After an illustrious NBA career, Luol Deng chose to forgo a life of luxury in his multimillion-dollar properties abroad to return home with a purpose: to transform basketball in South Sudan and redefine the countryโs global image.
Thanks to Luolโs leadership, South Sudan has become synonymous with basketball excellence. A quick search online now reveals images of the national basketball team and their historic achievements, a stark contrast to the countryโs past associations with conflict, calamity, and hunger.
As the president of South Sudan Basketball, Luol has been the driving force behind South Sudanโs meteoric rise in the sport, from historic qualifications for the FIBA World Cup and the Olympics to nurturing young talent. Through his Luol Deng Foundation, he continues to support basketball development both in South Sudan and globally, fostering opportunities for the next generation.
Luol Dengโs unparalleled contributions to South Sudanese sports and his dedication to uplifting the nation through basketball secure his well-deserved spot on our 2024 list of the Top 20 South Sudanese.
๐. ๐๐ฎ๐ง๐ข ๐๐ฆ๐จ๐ญ โ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ค๐๐ญ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฒ๐๐ซ
Anunwa โNuniโ Omot has been an instrumental figure in South Sudanโs basketball success. As a key player on the national team, he helped propel South Sudan to the global stage, culminating in the historic qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics, the nationโs debut in the worldโs biggest sporting event.
Beyond his contributions to the national team, Nuni achieved individual greatness in 2023 when he was named the Basketball Africa League (BAL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) while playing for Al Ahly, one of Egyptโs top basketball clubs. His exceptional performance cemented his status as one of the brightest stars in African basketball.
Nuni Omotโs achievements in 2023 and 2024 exemplify his talent, dedication, and impact on South Sudanese sports. For his remarkable contributions, he earns a place on our 2024 list of the Top 20 South Sudanese.
๐. ๐๐๐ง๐ฒ๐๐ง ๐๐๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฅ โ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ค๐๐ญ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฒ๐๐ซ
Wenyen Gabriel, a former Los Angeles Lakers player, has been a key figure in South Sudanese basketball. In 2023, he joined the South Sudan national team for the FIBA World Cup, helping the team make history by qualifying for the tournament for the first time. In 2024, he continued his journey with the team, leading South Sudan to another historic milestone: qualifying for the Paris Olympics as the sole African representative in menโs basketball.
Throughout these achievements, Wenyen has proven himself to be one of the standout players on the national team, showcasing exceptional skill and determination. His contributions have been instrumental in putting South Sudan on the global basketball map.
We honor Wenyen Gabriel for his dedication, hard work, and for proudly representing South Sudan on the world stage. His accomplishments in 2023 and 2024 have earned him a well-deserved place on our 2024 list of the Top 20 South Sudanese.
๐. ๐๐ณ๐ข๐๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ๐ก โ ๐
๐จ๐จ๐ญ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฒ๐๐ซ
Ezibon Malish Wajo is a rising star in South Sudanese football, currently just two goals away from becoming the all-time top scorer for the national team. Despite the challenges facing football in the country, Ezibonโs talent and determination make him a beacon of hope for the sport.
With five goals to his name, Ezibon is just one goal behind the joint all-time top scorers, James Joseph Moga and Tito Okello Odong. At such a young age, his skills and performances on the pitch clearly mark him as a player destined for greatness.
For his remarkable contribution to the nationโs sports sector and his inspiring journey in football, Ezibon Malish secures his place among our Top 20 South Sudanese for 2024. He represents the future of South Sudanese football and continues to bring pride to the nation.
๐. ๐๐๐ฆ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ค๐๐ง๐ข โ ๐๐ข๐ฏ๐ข๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐๐ข๐๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ
Edmond Yakani is a renowned civil society activist who has dedicated his life to being a voice for the voiceless. A fearless advocate for good governance, he consistently speaks out on issues affecting South Sudan, even in the face of limited freedom of expression.
Edmondโs unwavering commitment to justice and accountability has made him a cornerstone of activism in the country. His courage and determination have earned him numerous international awards, highlighting his impactful fight for the rights and well-being of the South Sudanese people.
Today, we proudly recognize Edmond Yakani as one of our Top 20 South Sudanese for 2024. His work continues to inspire change and give hope to countless citizens.
๐. ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฌ๐จ๐ง ๐๐ฐ๐๐ฃ๐ โ ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ฉ๐ซ๐๐ง๐๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ฅ ๐ซ๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฏ๐จ๐๐๐ญ๐
Nelson Kwaje is a trailblazing entrepreneur and digital rights advocate, with over seven years of experience in the fields of ICT and digital rights advocacy. His unwavering commitment to empowering young people and safeguarding digital spaces has cemented his place as one of South Sudanโs most influential figures.
As the founder of Scenius Hub, Nelson has created a vibrant creative workspace in Juba, offering a haven for young creatives and professionals to collaborate and innovate. The Hub has not only provided space for individual growth but has also hosted numerous events focused on technology, creativity, and innovation, solidifying its role as a cornerstone of the creative community in South Sudan.
Nelsonโs passion for combating misinformation and disinformation is evident through his work with 211 Check, South Sudanโs pioneering fact-checking platform. By establishing this critical outlet, Nelson has helped address the spread of false information, promoting truth and accountability in the digital sphere.
In addition, he is a co-founder of SafetyComm South Sudan, a nonprofit organization dedicated to cybersecurity education and advocacy. Through campaigns and training programs, the organization equips individuals with the tools and knowledge to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.
For his selfless contributions to the tech and creative industries and his steadfast advocacy for digital rights, Nelson Kwaje has earned a well-deserved spot on our Top 20 South Sudanese list. His work continues to inspire a new generation of South Sudanese changemakers.
๐. ๐๐ฎ๐ฆ ๐๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฅ โ ๐๐จ๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ/๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ ๐๐จ๐ง, ๐ฌ๐๐ฏ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฅ๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐จ๐๐๐ฌ
Dr. Gum Marial, a dedicated surgeon at the SSPDF-owned Gieda Military Hospital, has earned his place among the top 20 South Sudanese of 2024. After graduating from a university in Ethiopia, he chose to return home and devote himself to saving lives at a hospital grappling with a chronic lack of medical supplies.
Despite these challenges, Dr. Gum has performed life-saving surgeries on patients who had lost hope due to the unavailability of specialized treatment abroad. In one remarkable case, he successfully removed a bullet lodged in a patientโs head. In another groundbreaking achievement, he made history by performing South Sudanโs first-ever brain tumor surgeryโan incredible milestone for the countryโs medical sector.
Dr. Gumโs unwavering commitment to his patients and his pioneering efforts at Gieda Military Hospital stand as a testament to his skill, resilience, and love for his country. Today, we recognize and honor him for his extraordinary contributions to South Sudanโs healthcare.
๐. ๐๐ฆ๐๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐๐ง๐ โ ๐๐จ๐๐๐ฅ/๐๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ง
Amac Mathiang, popularly known as Amac Ricky, proudly represented South Sudan at this yearโs Mr. World beauty pageant.
Although he didnโt bring home the title, Amac made a significant impact by putting South Sudan on the global map in a positive light. His outstanding achievement was winning the Best Costume Award for his stunning attire inspired by the South Sudanese flag, which captured the attention and admiration of audiences worldwide.
Amacโs participation highlights the growing presence of South Sudan in international pageants. His dedication, charisma, and cultural pride serve as an inspiration to young South Sudanese aspiring to represent their nation on global platforms.
๐. ๐๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐ข๐๐ก๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ญ๐๐ง - ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ
Richard Sultan, a founding member and senior editor at Hot in Juba, played an instrumental role in shaping the platform into South Sudanโs leading digital news outlet. His passing in October 2024 marked the loss of a remarkable journalist whose work and dedication left an indelible mark on the countryโs media landscape.
A self-taught journalist, Richardโs journey was defined by hard work, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to storytelling. He believed in the power of journalism to amplify the voices of the marginalized and to hold the powerful accountable. His writing was not just about reporting the newsโit was about seeking solutions and fostering meaningful conversations that could drive change.
Richardโs passion for his craft was matched only by his generosity of spirit. He was always willing to share insights, offer advice, and support his colleagues with encouragement and kindness. His warm smile and approachable nature made him a source of inspiration to many, both within Hot in Juba and the broader journalism community.
Throughout his career, Richard went above and beyond to highlight underreported stories, providing a platform for those whose voices were often ignored. He approached these stories with empathy, humanity, and a deep sense of responsibility, ensuring they were told with dignity and respect.
As we reflect on his life and legacy, Hot in Juba is honored to include Richard Sultan in our list of the Top 20 South Sudanese of 2024. This recognition celebrates his unparalleled contribution to journalism in South Sudan and his enduring impact on the lives of those he sought to serve through his work.
Richardโs absence is deeply felt, but his legacy continues to inspire us to pursue excellence, compassion, and truth in all that we do. Rest in peace, Richard Sultan. Your voice and vision will forever resonate in the stories you helped bring to light.
๐๐. ๐๐ก๐ข๐ซ๐๐๐ค ๐๐จ๐ก๐ง - ๐๐๐ & ๐๐จ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ค๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐ฐ
Chirbek John is a dynamic and influential public figure, serving as the CEO and host of the Beledna Talkshow, where he engages audiences with insightful conversations that shape society and culture. A passionate public speaker, lecturer, and corporate MC, Chirbek has earned a reputation for his exceptional communication skills and his ability to connect with diverse audiences.
Beyond media and entertainment, Chirbek is a staunch advocate for positive change in South Sudan. In recognition of his efforts to promote a positive image of the country and shift the narrative surrounding South Sudan, he received the prestigious 2024 Special Award from the South Sudan Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture. He was also honored with the Traces of Formation Award at the 2024 South Sudan Fashion Week, acknowledging his significant contributions to the nationโs cultural and fashion landscape.
With a deep commitment to social change and public engagement, Chirbek John continues to be a driving force in shaping meaningful conversations and fostering growth in South Sudan and beyond.
The above profiles capture the resilience, innovation, and dedication of South Sudanese leaders in their respective fields, showcasing their impact in shaping a brighter future for the nation.
Read full list here: www.hotinjuba.com/top-20-south-sudanese-2024
