The Lions of Teranga piped Taifa Stars 4-0 in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers last year but I love Dakar. My trip to Dakar a fortnight ago was tiresome, but with lots of good stuff to share. Frankly speaking, it has left a mark that will take long to subside. The tall-dark skinned-athletic Senegalese are anything but proud of their mother land. They speak French and Wolof, and proud of being the Teranga of hospitality! A nation of 95% Muslim population, you hardly see “Sinza” in the city.
Unlike Sub-Saharan Africans, Senegalese- and I suppose West Africans- love jogging and sports in general. In the morning the streets are filled with people jogging- the young, the old, the beautiful and handsome- it does not discriminate- they all like keeping fit. On the contrary, we like flocking ‘pubs’ to nurse our woes! The amount of alcohol Tanzanians consume on a daily basis, weekly, monthly and yearly must have a bearing in our sports performance regionally and internationally. In sharp contrast, the cultural orientation which Senegalese have nurtured for years is distinctive to their sports performance especially football. Senegalese life style-their hospitality to visitors, proud of being Africans, resilience and humility in business are things to take stock.
From the President down to the local man in the street-they are what they are- simple looking and down to earth people! Senegalese politicians are not as complicated as our politicians in this part of the world. President Abdoulaye Wade is an exciting man. He is not fond of protocol orientations like some of our politicians. During the official opening of the eLearning Africa, he made his aides sweat, as they were trying to ‘protocolise’ issues for him. He wanted to be himself- relate to the audience- and you know make the audience feel easy at him. His ministers were also good men and women-very down to earth people. They come into a meeting looking very simple yet firm in their actions!
Another distinctive feature about Senegalese is that they adore their prints. Unlike us who loom large with Western prints- of which in most cases make us look fake- they like being Africans- wearing African dresses. Their prints are eye-catching and breath-taking and are addressed to signify certain things. A dress for Chiefs or highly respected people is always different- in terms of mending style; colour; cloth synthesis e.t.c In Tanzania this is a nightmare! We don’t know and careless on this aspect.
The images you generate when moving from the Leopold Senghor International Airport to Dakar tells you that the city is under construction siege. Serious construction is taking place in this part of the world. The roads and the buildings are ‘seriously’ built. In all the sites I visited, you don’t see a thing like the construction of Mandela Road. That kind of construction is an intolerable sin in Senegal. The Minister for Education and Vocational Training Prof. Jumanne Magembe was in Dakar during that time. I suppose he must have shared this with Dr. Shukuru Kawambwa, the minister for infrastructure development.
Dar politicians and constructors must borrow a leaf from Senegalese constructors and politicians. They surely need this because the inaugural “semina elekezi” from the President has hit a dyke. The roads and buildings in Dakar are built creatively to cater for motorists, bikers and pedestrians. In the next 5 years Dakar is set to an economic powerhouse of the ECOWAS!

Goree Island father’s the slave trade history. Unlike the Bagamoyo Slave Trade ruins, the Island is a tourist attraction. Most Diasporas go to Goree to trace their roots. Once there-they cry and morn the suffering of their grand’s. Despite all that, however, Barack Obama has lifted their spirits. The Island holds much of the Afro-Americans links.
For us to make meaningful reforms we need to start reforming our attitudes as a people. We must put our national interest first before anything. Let’s borrow a leaf from the Senegalese and track which direction we would be heading!