Veteran South Sudanese journalist John Wani, a former staff member of Radio Miraya, died Friday morning in Juba after a brief illness. He was 69.
Wani, a respected figure in South Sudanese media, had been battling health complications, including respiratory issues linked to long-term diabetes.
Joseph Gabriel Shadar, a senior journalist at the U.N.-run Radio Miraya and Wani’s longtime colleague, confirmed his death to Radio Tamazuj.
“He was sent to India for treatment due to breathing difficulties caused by lung complications from diabetes,” Shadar said. “After returning, his condition improved briefly, but he relied on a specialized breathing machine until his passing.”
A Founding Voice of Radio Miraya
Shadar, who worked with Wani for 19 years, described him as one of the founding figures of Radio Miraya, which launched in Khartoum on June 30, 2006. The station later moved to Juba after South Sudan gained independence in 2011. Wani retired in 2023 after a career spanning more than four decades.
“He was a committed colleague with vast experience, having previously worked at Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (Radio Juba),” Shadar said. “He joined us in 2005 as an Arabic news anchor and reporter, and despite his seniority, he remained dedicated to his craft.”
A Legacy of Professionalism
Wani obtained a master’s degree in English from London and was fluent in Arabic, English and his native language. Known for his integrity, he was seen as a bridge between South Sudan’s second and third generations of journalists, having begun his career in the early 1980s.
“He was a skilled reporter, newscaster and editor—a well-rounded journalist,” Shadar said.
Wani is survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters.
“His children are grown, some married, and his family remains in our thoughts,” Shadar said.
Radio Tamazuj extends condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.