Today we mark four years as a nation - and as many would agree, the road has not been smooth.
But today gives us a chance to look back to that time, four years ago when we officially separated from Sudan, voted to go it alone and become our own nation.
Smiles and cheers filled every town, from Juba to Yambio, New York to Melbourne and even in Toronto. South Sudanese celebrated a new lease on life.
Radio Miraya's David Lukan takes us back to that moment four years ago
