16/07/2025
To: Her Excellency, Mama Rebecca Nyandeng De Garang
Mabior Atem, The Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan
(The Chair of Gender, Youths, and Human Rights Cluster).
Juba, South Sudan.
July 15, 2025.
By: James Atem Tuor, California, USA:
Re: The Sixty-Nine Birthday Wishes to Mama Rebecca Nyandeng:
As I got up from my bed this morning and looked forward to the day, I was filled with great joy and excitement because it was your special day yesterday. Happy Birthday to you, Mother of the Nation! I just realized that you have turned 69 years old, yet you still look the prettiest mother of all. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for being the "Greatest Mother of South Sudan" and a caring grandmother as well. Since today is your birthday, I don’t want to miss this opportunity to say a few words. My audience, allow me to begin by highlighting some key points below:
On July 15, 1956, Her Excellency, Rebecca Nyandeng de Mabior, the widow of our great leader, the late Dr. John Garang de Mabior, was born in Bor Town to both Chol Atem Dit (Nyopiny) and Nyankuir Deng-got Mamer (Angakuei), respectively. Mama Rebecca hails from the Dinka tribe of Nyopiny, Pan Geu in Ajuong Payam, Twic East County, Jonglei State, South Sudan. Mama Rebecca is one of the few individuals born in a health facility during that time. In the past, most children were delivered at home by a midwife, typically an older woman with childbirth experience but no formal medical training. Unfortunately, many women are still giving birth at home today, although they usually have a semi-trained midwife present.
Why is her birthday so important? The answer is simple; the significance of Mama Rebecca’s birthday for all South Sudanese is in its celebration of life, providing a moment for reflection and strengthening social bonds. Her birthday offers an opportunity to recognize achievements, show gratitude, and boost self-worth. Celebrating her birthday is a powerful way to enhance self-esteem, build relationships, and create lasting memories for the people of South Sudan.
Her Excellency, Mama Rebecca, got married to Dr. John Garang de Mabior in 1975 in the presence of Uncle Elijah Malok Aleng, Yaak Dut Yaak, and hundreds of other elders. Her husband is famously known as the great man who laid the foundation that led to the declaration of Independence of South Sudan in the year 2011.
Like most women in South Sudan, Mama Rebecca gave birth to six children, and Garang opted not to take another wife, although the social norm of his time was to take several. Mama Rebecca referred to him as a great husband and father – a man who fought for freedom and had a far-reaching view of things. Mama Rebecca-dit was his companion from the time he spent with her at Grinnell College and Iowa State University in the United States in the 1970s to the 21 years in the bush.
When the Second Civil War erupted in Bor Town in 1983, Dr. Garang swiftly brought together his wife and his two sons and drove them to safety in different parts of Jonglei. The family kept moving on until they arrived in Panyagoor area in the Greater Upper Region, where they settled a little bit before proceeding to Ethiopia. It was at this time that they started moving at night in unoccupied zones, and the long and difficult journey began as the struggle continued and the effects of life in the bush set in.
In 1986, after she had done her basic military training, Mama Rebecca Nyandeng traveled to Cuba to train as a specialized soldier. She steadily rose through the ranks in the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, going from being a first lieutenant to captain and eventually ending up as a lieutenant general. Mama Rebecca Nyandeng also played many roles during the struggle. In addition to serving in the military, she was a cook to the soldiers, a nurse to the sick, a supportive First Lady to the Chairman of SPLM and Commander-in-Chief, and a caring mother to her expanding family.
Again, in 1999, the top leadership of the Movement gave Mama Rebecca the important role of setting up a non-governmental organization (NGO) that would be in charge of giving vocational training to the affected people, or the wounded heroes. The name of the organization was "Wodrans" (stands for the Widows, orphans, and Disabled Rehabilitation Association for New Sudan). The beneficiaries of this organization would be offered vocational training in various trades. This includes but is not limited to blacksmithing, tailoring, carpentry, electrical work, and plumbing for the wounded heroes and heroines.
After the passing of our Great Leader, Dr. John Garang, on July 30, 2005, in a Russian-built MI-172 helicopter, Mama Rebecca demonstrated remarkable courage. She quickly stood up and met with the late Hon. Elijah Malok Aleng and the late Gen. Chagai Atem Biar to propose H.E. Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit as a successor, drawing inspiration from Dr. Garang's speech in Rumbek in 2004. The whole world was worried about the fate of CPA, since many opportunists were eyeing the Chairmanship, some even came from as far away as the United Kingdom and Khartoum. At that sorrowful time, the Movement and the Comprehensive Peace Agreement could have been at risk if Mama Rebecca had not acted decisively by proposing Gen. Salva Kiir as the new leader.
As a result, H.E. Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit, became the 1st Vice President of South Sudan, who ascended to the office of President after the referendum, and assigned Mama Rebecca Nyandeng as the Minister of Roads and Transport, a position she held during the semi-autonomous government of Southern Sudan. She was later appointed as the Presidential Advisor to the President of the Republic of South Sudan on gender and human rights between 2007 and 2014.
Without a doubt, President Salva Kiir and Mama Rebecca worked tirelessly as committed champions in the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which was inked by Dr. John Garang before his sudden death. Mama Rebecca continued to strongly support the CPA and worked diligently alongside President Kiir to ensure that the Peace Agreement was upheld. Her efforts contributed to South Sudan's independence on July 9, 2011.
Famously, Mama Rebecca is a peace-loving Christian who frequently advocates for reconciliation and unity among the people of South Sudan. She emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and collaboration in creating a peaceful future. Mama Rebecca has participated in numerous peace initiatives, focusing on critical issues such as unity, gender equality, human rights, security, humanitarian access, and trust-building.
Frankly speaking, Mama Rebecca Nyandeng is consistently truthful, factual, and outspoken about national issues, especially during critical times. It is important for us, both individually and collectively, to recognize and publicly discuss patriotism. While age may be just a number, the combination of ideas and nationalism is both valuable and enlightening to the next generations.
In conclusion, the Holy Bible has indicated the important role that women have played in history, beginning with Eve to Mary, to many others through the ages. Their stories have challenged and inspired us through the years. In most cases, men are the ones who are given the credit for being courageous and brave, while women seem to go unnoticed. However, many of the most important stories in the Bible would not exist without women. This is true!
Additionally, women have worked for centuries and across generations, making society better every day despite the misunderstandings, resistance, and obstructions they have faced and endured, and continue to do so in their quest for equality. Women's importance in society cannot be overstated in the 21st Century. Their contributions as caregivers, economic actors, social agents, and leaders are essential for the progress, well-being, and sustainability of any community. Recognizing and supporting women's full participation is not just a matter of equality; it is a fundamental requirement for building a better world for all.
Happy 69th Birthday to you, Mama Rebecca Nyandeng Garang de Mabior Atem! South Sudan is now a free country because of your great contributions, and patriotism.
The Author, James Atem Tuor, resides in San Jose, California, USA. He can be contacted at: [email protected].
