South Sudan's oldest elder dies at 119

November 4, 2013 (JUBA) – Elder Simon Mayan Tut, believed to be the oldest elder on records in South Sudan, died on Sunday in the Upper Nile state’s capital, Malakal, at the age of 119.

Born in 1894 late pursued his intermediate school in Abong in 1912 and by 1967 he studied veterinary science at the Veterinary Institute in Ethiopia.

During his adult lifetime he was known for peace advocacy among the Nuer community in particular and South Sudanese people in general.

Tut was a veteran Anya-nya I fighter and in 1980s after the 1972 Addis Ababa Agreement represented the former greater Upper Nile region in parliament.

Also known for gracing important traditional events, the late was the invited guest who blessed the reception of ‘dang’ or rod belonging to a Nuer prophet Ngundeng Bong, upon its return from Britain, during a reception ceremony in 2009 at Nyakuron Culture Center in Juba where president Salva Kiir and other senior government officials attended.

In his testimonies, Tut explained that he was already a big boy when Ngundeng died in 1906 in the same present day Akobo county.

The former vice-president, Riek Machar Teny, who on Sunday paid condolences to the family of the deceased, described him as a national icon as well as a senior citizen of this country with accumulated experiences during his lifetime.

Machar had earlier during the funeral of late Daniel Jumi Tongun, urged the national government to give special attention to the country’s senior citizens who have attained the age of 90 and above.

Late Tut is expected to be laid to rest at Walgak in his home county of Akobo.

(ST)