(JUBA) – Majok Makur, popularly known as Major Boy, has gone from a village upbringing in South Sudan to becoming one of the most recognisable content creators among South Sudanese youth, both at home and abroad. A viral sensation on TikTok, Major Boy is now a millionaire, youth ambassador, musician and promoter of peace, all through comedy and digital storytelling.
Growing up in South Sudan during times of civil conflict, Majok was no stranger to hardship. He later moved to Uganda in search of education, bringing with him lessons of humility and endurance from his village childhood.
“Being born in the village taught me humility and respect,” he recalled. “When I moved to Uganda, I didn’t just learn in class. I learned about life.”
His experiences, shaped by conflict, displacement and cultural duality, became the foundation for the content he would later create.
“The wars affected all of us,” he said, “but I made a choice not to create content that brings back that pain.”
In 2019, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, Majok began creating short comic videos. Inspired by African influencers like Yagga and Brain, he started producing prank videos and sketches. The journey wasn’t smooth. With poor internet access and criticism from even close friends and family, he had to rely on his persistence.
“I turned the negativity into fuel,” he said. “The ‘Major Boy’ you see today was built on consistency.”
The turning point came in 2023 when one of his videos went viral, capturing audiences far beyond his local followers. From that moment, his social media presence grew across platforms, with comedy rooted in themes of unity, love and reconciliation.
“We are the new generation,” he said. “I use my platform to speak for the voiceless. I see myself as a youth ambassador for peace.”
Living between two cultures, Uganda and South Sudan, has not always been easy. He acknowledges criticism from some quarters but believes it reflects progress.
“If no one is talking about you, you are not pushing boundaries,” he noted.
While he has received no formal support from South Sudanese government institutions, his growing online community has been instrumental in propelling him forward. His content now reaches thousands of followers globally, especially in the South Sudanese diaspora.
A major breakthrough came when he relocated to Australia and began monetising his TikTok content. “Back home, TikTok didn’t pay,” he explained.
“But in Australia, the platform paid creators, and that changed my life.”
His earnings have turned into substantial income. He recently purchased his first car, a 2024 Mercedes-Benz, for $37,000, equivalent to 170.2 million South Sudanese Pounds (SSP) at the current rate of SSP 4,600 per USD.
Now, with brand endorsements under his belt, including a deal with Remit, a financial service that helps South Sudanese send money home, he says he is focusing more on long term content development.
“Content pays more than endorsements,” he noted. “Partnerships expire. But content? That is mine forever.”
Despite the financial success, Major Boy remains cautious. “Content creation is exhausting,” he admitted. “It is not easy to make money, and I reinvest everything I earn.”
His message to aspiring young creators in South Sudan and across the continent is to start right away.
“Don’t let your country’s situation stop you. Be consistent. God is the greatest!”
