Empowering South Sudan’s Future Leaders: The Concerned Podcast Joins Hands with Excellence Foundation South Sudan

Author: Emmanuel Taban

In a powerful collaboration focused on youth development, The Concerned Podcast has collaborated with Excellence Foundation for South Sudan (EFSS) to support the 2025 edition of the Juba Secondary Schools Mini Competition. The event, which includes a Spelling Bee, Speed Challenge Quiz, Speech, Academic Debates, Music, Dance, and Drama, continues to inspire and challenge students from eight participating schools.

Schools participating in this year’s edition are: Golden Brains Academy from Gudele Block VI (Munuki), Juba Diplomatic Secondary School from Hai Referendum (Luri), Bright Light Secondary School from Nyakuron West (Munuki), Brilliant Academy from Gumbo Sherikat (Rejaf), Elite High School - Juba from Gumbo Sherikat (Rejaf), Juba Integrated High School from Gumbo Sherikat (Rejaf), City High School from Jondoru (Rejaf), and Horizon Academy Secondary School from Mia Saba (Munuki).

Since its launch in 2022, the Mini Competition initiative has reached over 10,000 students and at least 100 teachers across 40 primary and secondary schools in Juba. The project reflects EFSS’s core mission to promote literacy, innovation, leadership, and community development through grassroots education efforts.

This year, The Concerned Podcast, founded by Emmanuel Taban, has come on board as a proud collaborator. The podcast contributed to this edition through “the Bronze” package, and four branded T-shirts to be used during the competition. These contributions reflect a deep commitment to empowering the next generation.

“I am interested in offering a platform and supporting events that will groom students and youths into potential, reliable, and accountable leaders,” said Emmanuel Taban. “Activities such as those of EFSS resonate with the podcast's objectives.”

The Concerned Podcast is an online platform that discusses issues related to politics, economics, social and cultural matters, particularly those affecting African countries, while drawing global connections. It aims to inform, engage, and empower its listeners, especially young people and students. Supporting youth-led initiatives that build public speaking confidence and leadership skills is key to its mission.

Here is an episode of the Concerned Podcast:

EFSS, registered with the South Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission in 2021, is a volunteer-based nonprofit driven by young South Sudanese professionals passionate about community growth. Through education support and leadership development, the organisation is helping shape a brighter future for the communities it serves.

Emmanuel Bida, the Program Manager of the Excellence Foundation for South Sudan, sent his heartfelt appreciation to The Concerned Podcast for their generous support, saying their involvement adds great value to their efforts and demonstrates the impact of partnerships built on shared vision.

This collaboration marks just the beginning of what could be a long-term partnership between the two organisations.

“We hope to collaborate more in the future in the subsequent editions of the Juba Secondary School Mini Competitions and in a bigger way,” Taban added.

The Concerned Podcast and EFSS are working together to lay the foundation for a society where young people are equipped with the tools, confidence, and opportunities to lead, speak out, and make a difference.

If you have inquiries or need more details about the collaboration, please email [email protected] or visit EFSS on social media platforms.