In a heartfelt gesture of leadership and community service, Hon. Africano Mande, former Commissioner General of the South Sudan National Revenue Authority and founder of the Africano Mande Foundation, made a generous donation to the Maridi School of Nursing and Midwifery during his visit on Thursday.
The visit marked a moment of renewed hope for one of Western Equatoria’s most critical institutions, which recently resumed operations after years of struggle due to funding and infrastructural challenges.
Accompanied by local leaders and education stakeholders, Hon. Mande toured the facility, interacted with staff and students, and pledged to continue supporting the institution’s revival.
“Education, especially in the medical field, is the backbone of our community’s future, when we invest in nursing and midwifery, we are investing in the lives of mothers, children, and families across South Sudan. This is where transformation begins,” said Hon. Mande.
In his donation, Hon. Mande offered 5 million South Sudanese pounds, five sacks of rice, five jerrycans of cooking oil, two drums of diesel, and five bags of sugar items that will directly support students’ welfare and the school’s daily operations.
However, the Principal of the institution, Mr. Asike Festos, expressed deep appreciation for the gesture, describing the visit as “a turning point” in the school’s rebuilding journey.
“We are proud to see sons and daughters of Maridi standing with us,” said Mr. Asike. “Hon. Mande’s support sends a clear message that education is a shared responsibility, and his generosity gives our students renewed motivation to study harder and serve their nation.”
The school, which reopened on 1st September 2025 under the guidance of the Ministry of Health, has been striving to restore its role as a leading center for healthcare training in Western Equatoria State.
The administration noted that the donation will help stabilize operations, especially amid rising costs and limited funding for essential services.
Students who spoke to The City Review on Friday Morning also voiced their appreciation, describing the donation as a “life-changing” act.
“This support makes us feel valued and recognized, we now have the morale to keep pushing, knowing that leaders like Hon. Mande believe in us,” said Mary William, a second-year midwifery student.
Hon. Africano Mande Gedima, a respected figure within the SPLM and the Maridi community, reaffirmed his long-term commitment to improving health and education infrastructure across South Sudan, noting that sustainable development begins with empowering local institutions.
“Our goal is not only to donate but to inspire a culture of giving, mentorship, and leadership. If every South Sudanese gives back to their roots, our nation will rise beyond challenges,” he stated.
Community leaders in Maridi hailed the visit as a “model example of servant leadership,” urging other prominent figures to follow suit in strengthening the country’s education and health systems.
The Maridi School of Nursing and Midwifery, founded over a decade ago, has trained dozens of nurses and midwives now serving in hospitals and primary health care centers across Western Equatoria and beyond. Its revival, many say, is vital for addressing the shortage of qualified medical professionals in the region.
As the sun set over Maridi town, one thing was clear Hon. Africano Mande’s visit had not only revived the spirit of giving but also rekindled the belief that South Sudan’s progress begins in classrooms, clinics, and the hearts of its people.
