In my last blog, I wrote about my trip to Senegal (26th to 30th May 2009) where I shared about my experiences in that amazing West African nation. In this blog I share some of the lessons I learnt from my trip to Senegal. There are ten lessons that I would like to share.
1. I learnt of the enterprising nature of the Senegalese. The Senegalese are very hardworking and enterprising. One sees this immediately one lands at the International airport. You see it in the markets and in town. It’s also evident at tourist places. Here in Zambia we have known the Senegalese cross many nations to come and mine and buy precious stones which the locals are not even aware of. There’s a lot that Zambians can learn about the need to be entrepreneurial. To seize opportunities to make a profit by offering goods and services that add value to the community and society.
2. I learnt of the value of learning international languages. In this case I’m speaking of French. After learning French for six years (1981 to 1985) at secondary school and (1987) at university, I but all lost track of this lovely language until 22 years later when I had to recall the bit of French that had remained in my head. That’s when I appreciated the importance of knowing international languages. International languages such as French, Portuguese, Spanish and may I add Chinese (Mandarin) need to be taught in schools in addition to local languages. Where these are not taught, individuals must make extra efforts to learn the official and local languages for the places they are visiting. There is nothing pleasing to people from a nation you are visiting when you are able to speak their local language. In addition knowing a foreign language opens doors! The Senegalese especially those in Dakar have made great efforts to learn English. We can learn from them on knowing two or more international languages.
Atlantic Ocean
3. I learnt of the importance of a good diet in promoting good health. The Senegalese eat mostly rice, fish, vegetables and fruits. Could it be why a number of Senegalese look healthy? There is need to learn from the Senegalese and other West Africans, not forgetting the Indians, Chinese and Greeks on the value of having good diets. A diet full of fat, salt and sugar though sounding tasty is an enemy to our health.
4. I learnt of the importance of taking advantage of one’s geographical position and resources. Dakar in Senegal is at the most Western point of Africa. In the days of slavery that made it a perfect point for collecting slaves from other parts of Africa and dispatching them to Europe and America. Now at a time when African nations are independent, Dakar has become an important gateway to Europe and America by air and sea. Some airlines from America and Africa have made Dakar Dakar is also a favourite host of many international conferences. Dakar is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean making it a good tourist city to host Conference. The Senegalese have taken advantage of the growing importance of Dakar by investing in infrastructure development which includes the construction of a new international airport. Zambia is gifted with enormous natural resources and though landlocked is surrounded by eight neighbouring nations – a wide market at it’s doorsteps! There’s need to maximise on the comparative and competitive advantage.
Shopping Centre in Dakar
5. I learnt of the importance of infrastructure development in an economy. In most parts of Dakar in Senegal, there’s a lot of infrastructure development. This is of mostly houses, commercial buildings and roads. The positive ripple effects of such developments on the economy can be imagined. Zambia has seen some positive trends in infrastructure development in recent years. There is need to have even greater strides made in infrastructure development so as to stimulate phenomenal economic growth.
6. I learnt of the significant role that Senegalese working abroad have made on the Senegalese economy. A number of Senegalese working in the Diaspora send lots of money to relatives on a monthly basis. This has a significant impact on the cash inflow into the Senegalese economy. The same is true of Zimbabwe and I have no doubt even Zambia. There is need to enact favourable regulations that facilitate the flow of funds from locals working abroad.
7. I learnt of the reduced crime rates due to very strict ways if dealing with thieves and other offenders. While advocates of human rights may cry foul with the sometimes very severe ways that offenders in Senegal maybe treated, one can not help but notice that Dakar is one of the few friendly and safe cities in Africa. One can walk at night and not be harassed as in other African cities.
Public transport in Senegal
8. I learnt of the friendliness of the Senegalese people. They are generally hospitable and helpful. They offer true and warm African hospitality. Their efforts to speak English is amazing. Coming from an English speaking nation, I’m aware at how very few of my fellow nationals are willing to learn or speak French or other foreign international languages to make their guests feel at home.
9. I learnt of the greatness of an African heart when you meet a Senegalese person. Senegal like a number of other African nations lost a lot of it’s brothers and sisters to the Western world through the inhuman slave trade. Yet when one visits Senegal you see them co-exist with the French and other nationals that were involved in the slave trade. That is amazing. Something of God’s common grace!
10. I learnt of how widespread Christianity is. In a nation where 95% is Islam and Christianity only 5%, it is amazing that even then Christians exist. God has a remnant in every nation. God’s word will be proclaimed to every nation before the end of the world comes and Christ comes to take His waiting people home!
1. I learnt of the enterprising nature of the Senegalese. The Senegalese are very hardworking and enterprising. One sees this immediately one lands at the International airport. You see it in the markets and in town. It’s also evident at tourist places. Here in Zambia we have known the Senegalese cross many nations to come and mine and buy precious stones which the locals are not even aware of. There’s a lot that Zambians can learn about the need to be entrepreneurial. To seize opportunities to make a profit by offering goods and services that add value to the community and society.
2. I learnt of the value of learning international languages. In this case I’m speaking of French. After learning French for six years (1981 to 1985) at secondary school and (1987) at university, I but all lost track of this lovely language until 22 years later when I had to recall the bit of French that had remained in my head. That’s when I appreciated the importance of knowing international languages. International languages such as French, Portuguese, Spanish and may I add Chinese (Mandarin) need to be taught in schools in addition to local languages. Where these are not taught, individuals must make extra efforts to learn the official and local languages for the places they are visiting. There is nothing pleasing to people from a nation you are visiting when you are able to speak their local language. In addition knowing a foreign language opens doors! The Senegalese especially those in Dakar have made great efforts to learn English. We can learn from them on knowing two or more international languages.
Atlantic Ocean3. I learnt of the importance of a good diet in promoting good health. The Senegalese eat mostly rice, fish, vegetables and fruits. Could it be why a number of Senegalese look healthy? There is need to learn from the Senegalese and other West Africans, not forgetting the Indians, Chinese and Greeks on the value of having good diets. A diet full of fat, salt and sugar though sounding tasty is an enemy to our health.
4. I learnt of the importance of taking advantage of one’s geographical position and resources. Dakar in Senegal is at the most Western point of Africa. In the days of slavery that made it a perfect point for collecting slaves from other parts of Africa and dispatching them to Europe and America. Now at a time when African nations are independent, Dakar has become an important gateway to Europe and America by air and sea. Some airlines from America and Africa have made Dakar Dakar is also a favourite host of many international conferences. Dakar is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean making it a good tourist city to host Conference. The Senegalese have taken advantage of the growing importance of Dakar by investing in infrastructure development which includes the construction of a new international airport. Zambia is gifted with enormous natural resources and though landlocked is surrounded by eight neighbouring nations – a wide market at it’s doorsteps! There’s need to maximise on the comparative and competitive advantage.
Shopping Centre in Dakar6. I learnt of the significant role that Senegalese working abroad have made on the Senegalese economy. A number of Senegalese working in the Diaspora send lots of money to relatives on a monthly basis. This has a significant impact on the cash inflow into the Senegalese economy. The same is true of Zimbabwe and I have no doubt even Zambia. There is need to enact favourable regulations that facilitate the flow of funds from locals working abroad.
7. I learnt of the reduced crime rates due to very strict ways if dealing with thieves and other offenders. While advocates of human rights may cry foul with the sometimes very severe ways that offenders in Senegal maybe treated, one can not help but notice that Dakar is one of the few friendly and safe cities in Africa. One can walk at night and not be harassed as in other African cities.
Public transport in Senegal 9. I learnt of the greatness of an African heart when you meet a Senegalese person. Senegal like a number of other African nations lost a lot of it’s brothers and sisters to the Western world through the inhuman slave trade. Yet when one visits Senegal you see them co-exist with the French and other nationals that were involved in the slave trade. That is amazing. Something of God’s common grace!
10. I learnt of how widespread Christianity is. In a nation where 95% is Islam and Christianity only 5%, it is amazing that even then Christians exist. God has a remnant in every nation. God’s word will be proclaimed to every nation before the end of the world comes and Christ comes to take His waiting people home!
Comments