SPLM Mourn the Death of Mohammed Wardi
The SPLM has sadly learned of the untimely death of Mohammed Wardi, the great Sudanese teacher, poet and musician. Today is a day for mourning and remembering the passing on of this revolutionary singer. Mohammed Wardi was a true Sudanese national figure who had made great influence on the lives of ordinary Sudanese citizens. He was an icon of African culture in a community that has been denied of its original heritage for ages by the ruthless Arab racist killers of African culture and traditions.
President Salva Kiir Hugs Mohammed Wordi When He (Kiir) Was Launching His Elections Campaign in Juba on Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Photos by Comrade Larco Lomayat
Mohammed Wardi hails from Nubi tribe of Halfa. The Nubi is an African distinct community whose members are faithful Muslims. Although a Muslim, Mohammed Wardi did not mix his Islamic faith with his African background. He was not ashamed for being an African and as a gifted linguist and musician he used to compose his famous songs in both Arabic and Nubi.
As early as late 1950s, Mohammed Wardi used to come to Southern Sudan and made great music performances. He did not have any stereotypes and as such he was the first musician from Northern Sudan who people from the South called their true son and brother from the north.
Late Mohammed Wardi was a revolutionary thinker and a believer in New Sudan on new basis. In solidarity with marginalized people of Sudan, he welcomed the October uprising against the oppressive regime of Ibrahim Aboud in 1964. Although the October political Change was hi-jacked by the Sudan traditional political opportunists, he still remained faithful to the struggle for freedom of the marginalized Sudanese people. This great human rights and freedom fighter joined the SPLM in 1980s and provided a morale booster to the SPLA fighters during the liberation war.
This short account of the political and cultural contribution made by the late Mohammed Wardi to the lives of the Sudanese people has not covered his vast role as a teacher, freedom fighter and musician. Nevertheless, Mohammed Wardi’s legacy will continue among the South Sudanese people and one is also sure that the rationale Sudanese people will remember him too in that same capacity.
May God rest his soul in eternal peace.
Cde. Bol Makueng
SPLM Secretary for Information, Culture and Communication