JUBA — The Embassy of South Africa in Juba on Tuesday donated a Toyota Prado to the South Sudan National Election Commission (NEC) to boost mobility as voter education begins.
Speaking during the handing-over ceremony in Juba, the South African envoy to Juba, Advocate Mahlodi Sam Muofhe, said they are empowering NEC to ensure credible elections by December 2026.
“As the South African government, we are here, like we did in the past, to donate a Toyota Prado to the Elections Commission of South Sudan,” Sam said.
“We are doing it because, as South Africa, we are saying we would like to hear South Sudanese hearing the bells of democracy and freedom in South Sudan, not hearing guns roaring, maiming people.”
Amb. Sam stated that the vehicle will help to facilitate the members of the commission during awareness on voter registrations.
“It is their democratic right to vote and elect democratically people who will lead them,” he echoed.
For his part, Prof. Abednego Akok, Chairperson of the National Elections Commission (NEC), appreciated the Embassy of South Africa for the donation.
“This indicates that you are serious about seeing that there is a transformation from transitional government to democratic government,” Akok said.
“This is a very nice approach, and I really appreciate this. And it will be seen today by South Sudanese who will be watching the video or the television that South Africa is committed to supporting us.”
Prof. Akok noted that this is the second time South Africa has contributed a car, adding that the vehicle will help members of the commission with traveling to different places to speak with voters.
“It is time now for us to wake up, South Sudanese. That time has come for you to participate in the election, and to do this, we must begin with civic education so that we are ready to implement the Act and the Revitalize Peace Agreement, which has been agreed upon by the parties to the peace agreement,” he said.
The NEC boss affirmed that the second stage will be voter registration— “To be eligible, you must register your name to enable you to vote in the coming few months.”
The vehicle is expected to play a key role in strengthening the NEC’s ability to conduct outreach across South Sudan, particularly in promoting civic and voter education as part of the electoral process.
In January, South Africa doted Toyota Prado to the National Election Commission (NEC) to support the Commission’s preparatory activities for the upcoming 2026 elections.
