Sep 19, 2021 — South Sudanese international, Koang Deng Kun Koang, popularly known by his stage name as K-Denk has released an emotional song, “Peter Gatdet” in memory of heroes who fought for the liberation of the Republic of South Sudan.
The song, which was premiered on Youtube on September 16, was shot and launched in Alberta, Canada but K-Denk has been actively producing, singing and launching albums across Canada since his arrival in 2019.
The song is mainly about Gen. Peter Gatdet Yaka, a fierce fighter who was popularly known as Jundi Iraq for his active role in South Sudan and Sudan militaries and politics from late 1970s until his death on July 15, 2019 from what appeared to be a heart attack.
In memory of Peter Gatdet, K-Denk eulogizes the hero as a brave leader whose physical disappearances shall be forever missed and if tears could build a stairway to heaven, Gatdet’s supporters would simply do so to see him returned.
“Our angel our hearts hurt “mi caar ko ji” [when we think about you], a thousand words won’t bring you back. I know because I have tried; neither will a thousand tears, I know because I have cried [but] I’m here singing for many kids to remember the things you have done” He said,
“If tears could build a stairway, if memories were relayed leading up to your way. Many of us would walk up to heaven to bring you back because things have not been the same since you left. We love you but forgetting you is difficult….”
Feared and politicized by his opponents, Gatdet’s military skills and decisiveness played critical roles in SPLM/A conflicts in which he switched sides and fought vigorously for all sides.
In December 2013, Peter Gatdet became the first senior general to give president Salva Kiir ultimatum to stop the massacre of the Nuer tribe in Juba or else he would take law into his own hands in the neighboring Bor of Jonglei State against Kiir’s Dinka tribe.
In the course of the conflict, Gatdet felt off with Dr. Machar and decided to walk away from the leadership of the SPLM/A-IO after Riek signed a peace agreement that would have forced Gatdet and other senior generals to return to Juba without proper security arrangements.
The song also mentioned other senior leaders from the Nuer tribes who actively participated in Sudan and South Sudan civil wars for liberation of South Sudan since 1947.
Despite COVID-19, K-Denk performed recently in July 2021 at the African Festival in Vancouver, Canada and also performed in Edmonton, Canada, and hopes to do his last tour featuring his latest album Hope, an album dedicated to South Sudan to never give up hopes for brighter days ahead.
