Perhaps the European dream of young Africans is not to become a hero for a *dana* or to be crowned a wise king, but that is what has happened to an 18-year-old from Guinea-Conakri who arrived in Spain by canoe on one of the most dangerous migratory routes.
He entered the Canary Islands irregularly after passing through Senegal, applied for asylum and has been taken in by the Spanish Commission for Refugee Aid (CEAR) for a year in Malaga, where he led a normal life until he saved a woman from the water in the middle of the *dana* and his feat jumped to social networks.
From there, Mansour Konte became an involuntary protagonist in the national media, had to attend interviews and enter live television broadcasts, while receiving some job offers and congratulations from neighbors and institutions.
And in two weeks his feat led to the Malaga City Council choosing him, in recognition of his solidarity and dedication, to represent King Balthazar in the traditional Three Kings parade in the city, which will also always be embodied by a black person.
Designer suit to ascend the throne
As is customary, a well-known designer has been commissioned to make his suit, along with those of Melchior and Gaspar, so that he can sit - if the weather permits - on the throne of the float this January 5. And he has even had to go to several fittings to adjust the clothing to the detail for the moment.
Very polite, although sparing in words, Mansour confesses to EFE that all this is very good, but he is thinking about his future.
Like this young man in his day, the Canary Islands migratory route - one of the most dangerous in the world - was overcome by 46,843 people last year, 17.4% more than in 2023.
Into the water without fear
Some remain in the water in their attempt. Mansour was not afraid of the water that November 13 when the *dana* hit Malaga and to rescue Cristina he went into the wide river in which the heavy rains turned a three-lane street. She had stopped in the middle without being able to move forward.
Faced with this dangerous situation, he told EFE, he went "very quickly" to her to offer her his hand and thus continue the journey together, but the woman responded crying that she could not walk, so he chose to carry her in his arms to get her out of there so she could calm down.
After saving her, he wanted to continue lending a hand and collaborate with other neighbors in cleaning the houses where the mud had entered. The tragedy of Valencia was still very recent. He remembers that in his country, when it rains a lot, the houses also fill with mud and they go out to help those who need it.
The same role of Balthazar in Malaga was played two years ago by someone who also went through his own for the European dream: Hady Coulibaly, a 29-year-old African Muslim from Mali who, as an irregular migrant, jumped the border fence of Melilla and applied for asylum and international protection.
Illusion
Mansour is happy and excited to learn about the tradition of the Three Kings in first person and is grateful that he was chosen.
To familiarize himself with the atmosphere of this Christmas celebration, this same Friday he has fully participated in the parade of the Three Kings of his district, disguised as what the children expect him and the other Magi to deliver: a gift box.
His accompanying pages for the Balthazar mission have a similar profile to his: Fallou, from Senegal and an asylum seeker, and Blanche, from Ivory Coast and a CEAR worker.