At 14, we were just beginning to understand ourselves. Remember those awkward teenage years? We cared about deodorant, felt weird about our changing bodies, noticed the opposite sex, grew taller, bolder, louder. We became curious, opinionated, and slightly rebellious. That’s what 14 looks like for a person.

But what does 14 look like for a country?

This week, as we stepped into South Sudan’s 15th year of independence, we celebrated with reflection more than fanfare. Just a few years ago, we didn’t have electricity in many places, let alone Starlink. No modern supermarkets. No two bridges over the Nile. No tarmac leading all the way to my hometown. But here we are taking small, significant steps forward. Slow, but sure.
We now eat produce from Rajaf farms. We export smoked fish to Congo. Flights arrive in Juba from 7am to 5pm. The city is starting to breathe. Real estate is rising. The rain has blessed us almost every day, and believe it or not Juba is starting to feel… cool.
There’s still so much to do. But there’s also so much we’ve done. And it’s visible in the little moments.

Like in this timelapse: a small crossroad in Juba. Cars weaving in organized chaos. A woman setting up her roadside grocery, unintentionally causing traffic. Life, unfolding in its beautifully imperfect way. From a rooftop adorned with the South Sudanese flag, you can see the quiet resilience of a city and a country growing up.

Here’s to 15.

🎥 #SavvyLapse
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