JUBA – South Sudanese model and businesswoman Raya Raya has encouraged youths in the country to stop ‘celebrating poverty and laziness’, following the emergence of a controversial online group dubbed Gum Chok Youth Association.
Gum Chok is a Dinka phrase which literally translates to ‘hunger perseverance’. It has trended online over the past two weeks with singer Macco Bwoy promoting it with a song and Silver X randomly posting about the imaginary association’s objectives.
Since then, it has become a forum for South Sudanese youths to poke fun and console themselves on their hardships.
Model Raya Raya took to her social media page to express concern that South Sudanese youths are getting too obsessed with poverty to a point of campaigning for the unproductive trait.
“I’m hearing about the so called Gumchok. So guys I want to advise you guys that step out and go to work. Go and do something. Stop lying to yourself,” Raya said, in a video message posted on her Facebook page.
“There’s nothing like Gum Chok. It is just that you’re too lazy to work and that’s why you want to put yourself in that membership. Why would you belong to the Gum Chok?”
“Like Gumchok, as pretty as you are, as handsome as you are, as sexy as you are, you are attracting poverty and that’s what we said last time. We’re not settling for less and we’re cancelling it.”
“Look at the way you guys are celebrating the Gumchok membership. Like why don’t we manifest like why don’t we keep our manifestations high? You’re just lazy bro, and you’re waiting you think that your dad gonna do it, your mom gonna do it Or your cousins will do it for you.”
“Step out and do it for yourself okay? We should focus and be business because you are busy working hard but Chok Chok Chok Chok Chok Chok Chok Please shut up.”
Some youths took to Raya’s comment to voice mixed reactions. While many commended her advice, others scolded her that she does not understand that it is impossible to succeed as a youth in South Sudan due to the marginalization and lack of opportunities for youths.
South Sudanese youth make up over 70 percent of the country’s population. Yet they face high unemployment due to a combination of factors, including a weak economy, corruption, nepotism, and a lack of formal opportunities.
