“At the start, I wanted to get rid of the ‘son of’. » This is how Birane Ndour, Managing Director of the Futurs Médias Group (GFM), expresses his desire to make a real contribution to the rich legacy of his father, Youssou Ndour. During the presentation of his wishes to the group’s staff on December 31, he responded with sincerity to a delicate question asked by El Hadj Assane Gueye.
Birane Ndour did not hide the challenges linked to his status as the son of global star Youssou Ndour. “Being the son of Youssou Ndour is a heavy burden. He has accomplished extraordinary achievements for this country, carried the national flag on the international stage, and he deserves respect and tribute. His name is engraved in the history of Senegal and will remain there until the end of time. »
He went on to explain the constant pressure he feels in his role. “When others feel pressure, I feel three times more. Youssou Ndour is an inveterate perfectionist, always looking for results, with particular attention to detail. This requires immense rigor from me. »
Birane Ndour also spoke about his personal journey and his struggle to forge an identity distinct from that of his father. “After my studies, my first challenge was to let go of the label of ‘son of’ and to exist on my own, as Birane Ndour. But our duty, as a family, is to preserve and enrich the heritage of Youssou Ndour. The greatest satisfaction we can offer him is to realize his ambitions for Senegal, while remaining faithful to the values he instilled in us. »
Ultimately, Birane Ndour stressed the importance of uniting their efforts to make his father’s legacy prosper, in order to perpetuate it and enhance it further.
