Salary delay pushes mother of six to brew alcohol for a living

By Ibasi Patricia Tobs

Stella Akot is a mother of six, who has chosen to brew local alcohol for a living to meet her family’s basic needs. 

The 38-year-old is a civil servant and salary delays and devaluation of the local currency, the South Sudanese pounds has left her with no other choice than to fend by brewing Mokoyo local alcohol in the Inkas area in Torit, Eastern Equatoria State where she resides. 

Like many civil servants Akot receives 1,100 SSP which barely comes on time. Civil Servants’ wages can delay for up-to between five and six months in South Sudan or even more and when the government finally pays, it’s paid in single installments. Not all at once as would be expected. 

As a result, Akot made a decision to hustle for survival or die trying. It has been eight years since she started brewing the Waragi or Mokoyo alcohol. 

“I started brewing the local alcohol because our salaries no longer come as frequently as it used to. Even so, I only earn 1,100 which is not as valuable as it used to initially.” Akot told The Insider.

She uses her profits to buy mostly food for the family, clothing and also pay for children’s school fees. She does this business to also lessen the family responsibility on her husband whose condition is even worse than hers since he too works for the government as a civil servant. 

“Even when the father of the children wants to help provide for the family, it’s impossible because he’s also doing the same government job.”

  

Waragi or Mokoyo is a distilled natural drink made out of a mixture of cassava flour and millet. The brewing of this alcohol consumes less time compared to other types of business in Torit town. 

Akot says since she started brewing, her life has since changed. ”I don’t face many challenges like before, I am able to meet all my family needs.” she added. But this change has come at a cost. She has tried several other modes of business-like selling goods in Torit market but it has always colluded with her family duties. Children are sometimes left to fend for themselves in such scenarios when she’s away doing business. Akot says that’s not fair.

“You can be there in the market until late into the night and children have to go to school the following day.” 

Through this business, Akot was able to educate her eldest daughter up to the university level. She and her husband have always shred the burden of paying their children’s school fees. 

“If my husband manages to get something from the business he’s doing, he can pay the school fees one time and I will pay the next time when I receive my money. if he pays term one, I will pay term two , that’s why I am doing this business I will not leave it.” Akot told The Insider.

A bottle of Mokoyo is currently sold at 200SSP and usually lasts just two days because customers believe her alcohol is of high quality. 

“If you brew your alcohol very well everything is about taste even in the restaurants, if you cook your food with enough salt and thick soup and heavy, people will fill your restaurant.”

“This also applies to alcohol. if your alcohol is hot and salty, people will start directing customers to your place to drink quality alcohol.” Akot says.

Like any other business, once the local currency loses value against the US dollars, she’s forced to increase prices accordingly. She say this does not go well with some customers.

“In case I hear that the dollar has increased in the market I also increase for alcohol.” Akot said, adding that should indulge in businesses to help relieve the burden of economic pressure from their husbands.

“With the economic crisis in South Sudan, men are suffering as well,” Akot noted.