Biography of a martyr: Late Donato Dau Manyang
Introduction
This Biography of the late Donato Dau Manyang (nickname Tim-Atip) has been prepared for 40th Day Memorial Service with the rest of fallen heroes on June 21, 2008.
Mr. Donato Dau Manyang was among the 21 people who were killed in a plane crash on May 2, 2008 in Southern Sudan near Rumbek. He was travelling on a national duty as an SPLM delegate from Warrap State along with South Sudan Defense Minister Dominic Deim Deng and South Sudan Presidential Advisor Dr. Justin Yaac Arop.
Late Donato Dau Manyang was a South Sudan veteran of the first liberation (Anya Nya one) Movement after which he was absorbed into the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) following the 1972 Addis Abba Agreement. His career spanned military, politics and business. The memorial service was conducted on Saturday June 21, 2008 in Winnipeg; Manitoba, Canada.
Family
Late Donato Dau Manyang was born in 1945 to his father, Manyang Agany Nyer Dau and his mother, Achol Kuon Deng. His parents were both from Apuk County in Warrap State. His father was from Adoor clan.
Late Donato Dau Manyang got married to three wives:
• First wife: Anger Giir Ring from Apuk
• Second wife: Ahok Agany Achak from Aweil
• Third wife: Mary Abuk Peter Nguog from Aguok
The late is survived by 23 children, including 10 daughters and 13 sons, and by ten grandchildren, including 2 granddaughters and 8 grandsons.
Education
• 1952: Kuacjok Primary school.
• 1959: Busire Junior high school.
• 1963: Senior High school in Korthaga town in Northern Sudan
Military Career
In 1965, late Dau joined Anya Nya One Movement that was fighting for the independence of South Sudan. This move sacrificed his pursuit for further studies. After the 1972 Addis Ababa Peace agreement between the Anya Anya One Movement and the Khartoum Government that granted the South a self government, he was absorbed into the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF).
Late Dau’s career in military took him to different places in the Sudan. In 1974, he started working in Busire in Bhar-Al Ghazal. His first transfer occurred in 1977 when he was transferred from Busire to Rumbek. Again, the period from 1977 to 1982 saw him working in Aweil and later on in El Fashir in Darfur in the Northern Sudan.
• 1983: he was transferred from Aweil to Wau
• 1984: he was transferred from Wau to Khartoum and from Khartoum to Port Sudan
• 1985: he was transferred from Port Sudan to Khartoum
• 1986: he was transferred from Khartoum to Damazin
• 1987: he was transferred from Damazin to Khartoum where he got retired as a colonel in 1990.
Parliamentary career
In 1992, he was elected to the Sudan’s National Assembly for four years. In 1997, he was re-elected to the national assembly for another four years but he did not finish the second term because they were discontinued by the government of Sudan.
Business Career
In October 2004, the late Donato Dau founded a Company called Thorjok; in which he became the chairman.
SPLM member and delegate to the SPLM 2nd National Convention
Late Donato Dau was a member of the SPLM of Warrap State in which he was delegated for the SPLM second National Convention where he died in untimely death with other national figures on May 2, 2008.
Finally, we, the children of Donato Dau Manyang, were shocked by the death of our father but the fact that he died on national duty will keep us strong and proud for our father. May the Almighty Father rest his soul in eternal peace with the rest of his martyrs: Amen!
As well, we, the family of Donato Dau Manyang, have appreciated the support we gained from the entire Sudanese community from day one up to today.
Also, I would like to take this opportunity to thank my employers and co-workers at SMD and the University of Winnipeg as a whole and especially, Aurora Therapy for their support. Thanks to you for standing with us during this difficult moment in our lives.
May God bless you all.
Arek Donato Manyang is one of the children of late Donato Dau Manyang and lives and works in Winnipeg in Manitoba, Canada.
