Secretary General’s Visit to South Sudan

The Secretary General (SG) of the Association of Evangelicals in Africa (AEA) Dr. Master O. Matlhaope visited Emmanuel Christian University (ECU) in South Sudan as the guest speaker for its first graduation. He attended it in his dual role as SG of AEA and Chancellor of Africa International University (AIU), accompanied by Dr. Florence Mungathia, Director of Institutional Development and Brand Management at AIU. They were warmly welcomed in Juba by AIU alumni, and the SG encouraged them to serve their nation with faith and professional excellence.

At ECU, the SG addressed the university’s Board and church leaders, emphasizing the need for education that equips leaders with practical knowledge relevant to South Sudan’s unique challenges. He highlighted the importance of integrating spiritual and moral leadership with academic excellence, particularly in the nation’s volatile and complex environment.

During his graduation speech, themed “Faith in Action: Breaking New Ground,” the SG encouraged graduates to use their education to serve their country and address critical issues such as poverty, governance, and social justice. He highlighted that they were graduating in a VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous) world, emphasizing the need for leaders who can navigate these complexities with both academic rigor and spiritual grounding. He urged the graduates to rise above the uncertainties, bringing transformative solutions that can restore and strengthen their nation. In addition, the SG announced partial scholarships for ECU’s top graduates to study at AIU and offered collaboration with the South Sudanese government through AIU’s School of Leadership and Governance, positioning the university as a key partner in shaping the nation’s leadership across various sectors.

The SG’s visit demonstrated the powerful impact of his dual roles as both Secretary General of AEA and Chancellor of AIU. Through these capacities, he skillfully engaged in discussions that aligned with AEA’s mission while simultaneously leveraging his position as Chancellor to highlight the role of higher education in nation-building. His ability to switch between these roles allowed him to address both the spiritual and academic needs of South Sudan, making his contributions even more impactful. By offering scholarships and proposing collaborations, the SG used his role at AIU to open doors for future leadership development in the country. His holistic approach underscored the importance of integrating faith, education, and leadership in South Sudan’s path toward peace, prosperity, and nation building.