Sadio Mane: Presidential Material in waiting
All over the world people elect or appoint leaders to lead them with the sole aim of improving their lives, identifying and solving problems that otherwise can consume people or make their lives miserable.
Sometimes you may not need a political party to do so. Sometimes it is in the nature of a few to constantly think of ways to improve the lives of others using the resources available to them.
Over the years though countries especially in Africa have heard to sing lamentations songs over decaying or sometimes complete absence of infrastructures and even basic amenities like good roads, portable water and accommodation.
Such essentials like health care and education are equally lacking leaving the people in limbo while some of their leaders mismanage and waste their commonwealth.
Ordinarily those who have the heart to care for others should be the ones in a position to manage every country, community and association commonwealth because while they are at the helm the down trodden, those who can’t speak for themselves and those who are not connected will be rest assured that their interest will be protected. “When a good man is at the helm, the people rejoice.
Everyone cannot be in politics but everyman has been created in God’s image and likeness to be a brother’s keeper and people with such heart must be encouraged and emulated.
Liverpool forward and Senegal international is one player whose on and off the pitch activities stand him out as one who should one day be handed mantle of leadership to superintend over his countries resources to touch more lives in addition to what he has been doing as an individual.
We have seen rich players who have lived lives of extravagance and who have left regrettable notes on the sand of history. But here is a young man whose humility to those who know him well has become infectious. A report recently said he was using a cracked phone and some wondered why with all his money he will be using such when he can afford the highest iphone in town, But his response to the phone debate that went viral humbled many. Hear him:
“why would I want ten Ferraris, 20 diamond watches and two jet planes?” What would that do for the world?” the player had said in an interview with TeleDakar in October last year opening up for the first time on his humble and modest lifestyle. I starved, I worked in the fields, I played barefoot, and I didn’t go to school. Now I can help people,” added the Senegalese winger. You would understand there why buying a new iPhone or changing the broken screen guard will never be his priorities.
“I prefer to build schools and give poor people food or clothing. I have built schools [and] a stadium; we provide clothes, shoes, and food for people in extreme poverty. I give 70 euros (approx. US$78) per month to all people from a very poor Senegalese region in order to contribute to their family economy. I do not need to display luxury cars, luxury homes, trips, and even planes,” Mane said. “I prefer that my people receive a little of what life has given me.”
As it turned out the iPhone Mane was carrying wasn’t even purchased by himself but was a gift by one of Liverpool teammates. He revealed in the same interview that the iPhone 11 was gifted to him by club teammate Georginio Wijnaldum in October. Mane had even taken to Instagram to share a picture of his friend and thanked him for the gift.
According to African facts Zone,
“Sadio Mane is transforming his village to a town.
He built a £455,000 hospital and €250,000 school in his village, Bambaly. He gives each family €70 monthly.
He provided 4G internet for them.
He is building a fuel station and post office.
2,000 people live in his village”
Sadio Mane gave laptops and $400 each to the best performing students of Bambali High School.
He gives free sportswear to kids in the village.
How many elected politicians overseeing public money are providing these even when what they are using is not their private money?
When it became apparent that he has to leave Liverpool after the expiration and amidst several offers from various clubs, he said he will go where his countrymen want him to go. An indication that he has indeed warmed himself into the hearts of his countrymen and women He is of course on the verge of joining Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich. Mane‘s caring heart is what many a craving for across the globe.
READ ALSO REVEALED: Why Mane chose to leave Liverpool for Bayern Munich
Former Ballon d Or winner George Weah his current president of Liberia and reportedly doing his best for his country.
If Mane can be doing so much in his private capacity who says he cannot in future make his way to the Presidential Villa in Senegal to continue to do what he knows how to do best touching the lives of his people for the better.