It is with profound sorrow, heartbreak, and a heavy spirit that I write this tribute to honor the life and extraordinary legacy of a trailblazer, mentor, and dear colleague, Veronica Lucy Gordon.
Veronica’s life was tragically cut short when unidentified gunmen launched a road ambush on their vehicle between Mundri East and Mundri West on Thursday night. Two people were killed, including Veronica Lucy Gordon, and several people were reported missing.
This senseless act of violence has robbed South Sudan of one of its most courageous champions of media freedom and women’s rights.
A Veteran Journalist and Fearless Patriot
Veronica Lucy Gordon was one of the pioneers of journalism in South Sudan. Her passion for storytelling began during her student days at Lui Girls Secondary School, where she edited the school wall bulletin and championed community news.
Throughout the 21-year civil war, Veronica braved unimaginable hardships. While Juba was under bombardment, she would secure her children in trenches before rushing off to Radio Juba (now SSBC) to ensure the public remained informed. Working undercover, facing food shortages, and navigating constant danger, her dedication to duty never wavered.
Over her decades-long career, she served as a news anchor, senior editor, columnist for the Juba Monitor and Nile Mirror, and coordinator for local language broadcasting and community radio listening groups. Later, she became a Director of the English News Department at SSBC Radio.
A Champion for Women’s Inclusion and Media Empowerment
Veronica was not only a reporter of history—she shaped it.
She co-founded the Association for Media Women in South Sudan (AMWISS), where she dedicated her career to elevating female journalists and advocating for gender parity across newsrooms. AMWISS sent her to represent them on the board of the Association for Media Development in South Sudan (AMDISS), where she became the first female board member.
In 2014, Veronica was elected as Deputy Chairperson of the AMDISS Board, deputizing the late Alfred Logune Taban and becoming the first woman to serve in that position. She used her platform to push for gender inclusion at every decision-making table within AMDISS and the entire media sector. Her advocacy opened doors for countless young women to enter media leadership positions.
Veronica was among the South Sudanese journalists who established the Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS) immediately after the founding of AMDISS in 2003, laying the foundational structures for journalistic integrity and press freedom in the country.
Her advocacy also extended to reproductive health, peace-building, community development, and girl-child education, earning her regional and international recognition, including nominations for Africa’s 100 Most Influential Women and Legendary Dignitaries Leadership Awards.
Personal Reflection
Personally, Veronica Lucy Gordon was my support system. When I joined AMDISS in March, 2013, Veronica was a member of the panel that interviewed me. She was the only woman on the AMDISS board at the time, and I became the only woman at the secretariat level apart from our cleaner. Veronica became my mentor. She taught me how to defend my rights and the rights of fellow women. Together, we teamed up to advocate for more women to join AMDISS and the media at large.
Indeed, AMDISS later became a shining example of a gender-inclusive media organization, with women leading at the top: Mary Ajith became Chairperson of AMDISS in 2017, Josephine Achiro became Chairperson in 2024, and I became Principal of the Media Development Institute and Director of AMDISS.
Sometimes she used to joke with me, saying: “Ayaa, I can see the mentee is excelling more than the mentor. I am proud of you, my Director.” Every time I remember this statement, tears of sorrow over losing a mentor fill my eyes.
Six days before her demise, Veronica called me on the phone. Her exact words were: “Ayaa, well done, my daughter. I am following you on Facebook. You are doing a great job. When you hear my name somewhere, don’t be surprised.” I asked jokingly, “Madam, where do you want to go?” She laughed and replied that it wasn’t for anything bad—just to wait and see. Little did I know that she was saying goodbye.
Veronica was more than a colleague—she was a guiding light. She led with grace, warmth, diplomacy, and unwavering courage. Whenever she sat in a meeting, she ensured that the voices of women were heard and respected. As I have often said, the AMDISS of yesterday built the AMDISS of today, and Veronica’s legacy is deeply embedded in everything we stand for.
A Call for Justice and Lasting Memory
On behalf of AMDISS, I strongly condemn the attack that took Veronica from us. We urge the authorities to investigate this heinous ambush and bring those responsible to justice.
To her family, friends, loved ones, and the entire media fraternity across South Sudan and beyond, I extend our deepest condolences.
Rest in peace and power, Hon. Veronica Lucy Gordon. Your courage lives on in every story we tell and every young journalist who steps forward to serve.
Colleagues, let us unite to support her family during this difficult time.
The writer is the Director of the Association for Media Development in South Sudan (AMDISS).
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