Theee Oldest Voter

Independent Films, Women, Web Series, Comedy

She arrived in style, dressed to match the occasion. Rebecca Kadi is believed to be Southern Sudan’s oldest voter and she wanted her voice to be heard. At 115-years, great grandma Kadi was in high spirits as her convoy pulled up at a polling centre on the fourth day of Sudan’s historic referendum in the southern capital town of Juba.

Transcripts / Production notes / Scripts

She arrived in style, dressed to match the occasion. Rebecca Kadi is believed to be Southern Sudan’s oldest voter and she wanted her voice to be heard. At 115-years, great grandma Kadi was in high spirits as her convoy pulled up at a polling centre on the fourth day of Sudan’s historic referendum in the southern capital town of Juba.

Although unable to walk, Rebecca was taken through the voting process on her wheel-chair, holding firmly to her separation flag.

This elderly lady has seen it all. She was born during the colonial era of the British in the Sudan; witnessed the independence of the country and survived two consecutive civil wars, the last ending in 2005 with the signing of the comprehensive peace deal between the north and the south.

As she voted, Rebecca was proud to show off her inked finger. Her message was clear for Southern Sudan’s leader.

SOUNDBITE (Bari) Rebecca Kadi, Oldest Voter:
"Let Salva Kiir lead people as God wants because God knows how we have suffered and the troubles we have been through."

Rebecca gave birth to 12 children and numerous grand and great grand children. Her granddaughter Sara Modi accompanied her to vote and said that she had wanted to be the first voter on 9 January 2011 when the referendum vote begun, but later changed her mind.

SOUNDBITE (English) Sara Modi, Rebecca’s Grandchild:
"She told me that "you promised to take me, because I want to vote." She was supposed to vote as the first one, but she said no, because I’m a mom, let the people go and we will vote after people vote because I am a mother. And now after we voted she said: "If I die I will be very happy because I finished everything."

Rebecca is one of almost 4 million Southern Sudanese expected to vote for either a united Sudan or for a separate and new country during this referendum. Officials in the south believe that over 60 percent of the voters have already cast their vote by the fourth day of the week long vote, therefore legitimizing the results when they are announced.

Tags

• oldest voter
• referendum
• seperation
• Sudan

Directors:

• Mo Sacirbey, UNTV

Producers:

• Susan Sacirbey