June 15, 2023 By Kuek Aleu Garang
In the words of Darren Hardy in his book [The Compound Effect], "It's not the big things that add up in the end; it's the hundreds, thousands, or millions of little things that separate the ordinary from the extraordinary." The Twic Community Youth in Juba has strengthened the definition and importance of democracy in society. Two years ago, the Twic Community youth in Juba decided to add more weight to democracy's principles. They standardized the framework constitution allowing aspirants to seek leadership through election and members to exercise their right to vote for a leader in a free and fair election. That election was well-organized and ran satisfactorily; all those men who vied for the leadership were civil and intellectually focused on their platforms. Of course, the outgoing leader, Gabriel Atem Ayiik, won the heart of the Twic youth; meanwhile, the other peacefully conceded defeat in the election and promised to work with the elected leader. For the last two years, as I know, they united and stood behind Garang Atem's leadership. This shows civilization and respect for institutions by Twic youth. Twic East Community is a fraction of South Sudan communities; nevertheless, what it does is extraordinarily remarkable and exceptional. The youth election this year has been taken to the mountain peak. They are well organized; the candidates focus on their platforms; the youth's involvement is high, there is a giant election advert on billboards around Juba, and the outgoing leadership keeps itself out to avoid unfairness and collusion with the electoral commission. This election has caught national interest. The national broadcasting Channel of South Sudan gets interested in carrying the candidate's debate - this is how Twic Community took democracy to a different level. And it should be plausible for the country to learn and illuminate how this Twic community exercises democracy so peacefully. Per Darren Hardy's statement, small specialties give birth to big things. Should all South Sudan communities adopt ways the Twic community upholds democracy, the undemocratic impediments drip from the national level would be altered into a sea of democracy. It's essential to embrace and encourage youth to exercise principles of democracy because they're in line to carry on the country's future. Keep it going, Twic Community youth - it's a local practice, and do it well; other communities will join in and eventually shift the trajectory of our current national problems. ©June 2023