By Bosco Bush
After 13 years of waiting, Mr. Chol Anei Anei, the artist who painted South Sudan Coat of Arms, is demanding compensation from the government for his artwork.
On November 29, President Salva Kiir Mayardit invited Anei to his office and signed a copy of the coat of arms artwork, marking a significant milestone in Anei’s artistic journey.
Anei expressed his gratitude after patiently waiting for this recognition for 13 years. He stated that the President’s acknowledgement of his creative work would enable him to compete in international artistic festivals.
However, he is asking for the compensation of two medals and cash amounting to $5,000, which was promised by the then-Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports—now known as the Ministry of Culture, Museums, and National Heritage.
“I’m really very proud today [Saturday] for meeting the President. Because for 13 years, four months and eight days, I’ve been waiting to get my right. Up to now, I haven’t got even a single Pound in this great work. But I’m very proud because this coat of arms is a national coat of arms. It doesn’t mean to get anything, but the very important thing is to get my right,” said Chol Anei Anei.
“Today [Saturday], I’m very proud because I met the President and he has signed on this. Meaning, my work has been recognized 100 per cent,” he added.
“I’m going to use this one now to compete internationally because I’ve been recognized by the head of my country. So, this one now will allow me to compete internationally.”
In April 2011, the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports invited various artists and designers from around the world to propose a logo to be used as the official coat of arms for South Sudan.
The competition was intense, drawing many participants from countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Australia, the United States, and others, who showcased their talents.
Initially, Anei was apprehensive about competing; however, Professor Taban Lo Liong encouraged and persuaded him to give it a try.
Anei entered the competition and emerged as the winner of the national coat of arms, standing out among both international and regional competitors.
Following his victory in designing this important national symbol, the Ministry of Culture promised Anei awards consisting of at least two medals and $5,000. However, he has yet to receive these promised rewards to date.
“They have promised me that I will get 2 meddles and then they will pay me 5,000 U.S Dollars that time. As I’m talking to you now, I didn’t get the meddles and I didn’t get 5,000 U.S Dollars,” said Anei.
He’s demanding the Ministry of Culture to pay him the cash and recommend him as the award winner for the South Sudan Coat of Arms.
Apart from the national coat of arms, the Master’s Degree holder added that he’s the man behind other logos including the state broadcaster’s SSBC logo, Ministry of Investment, National Revenue Authority, and others.
Anei calls for “special consideration” from the government in order to enable him to transfer and transmit the knowledge and skills to other South Sudanese learners who are interested in the profession.