The actor Thimbo Samb arrived in Tenerife by canoe in 2006 and has since become a beacon for Senegalese youth. Before entering the film industry, he lived through hunger, slept on the streets, endured detention, and earned a living as a street vendor. Samb carries a heavy sense of responsibility for those who lose their lives on the Canary Island route while following in his footsteps.
At only 11, he left school to work. He spent long hours at sea off the coast of his hometown Kayar, north of Dakar, his hands burned on the ropes as he dragged nets heavier than himself loaded with fish. Over time, Samb noticed catches dwindling and resources slipping away to foreign-flag ships. In 2006, amid the cayuco crisis, at 17 he turned one of the colorful boats he had used for work into his escape route to Spain. After the fourth attempt, and nine days of navigation with 138 others, he reached the coast of Tenerife. He says that day felt like being born again, and today he signs autographs on the street and has achieved his dream of becoming a professional actor.
His success in cinema has become a bright light for many Senegalese who want to follow his path. Yet he admits it hurts to think that some youths may have boarded a cayuco because of him or that others might have died during the voyage. He needed psychological help to process this burden, and he laments that there is little that can deter young people from attempting the journey. He believes that if Europe stopped denying visas to young Africans, many would choose to stay home after witnessing the harsh realities abroad. He adds that all he can do is inform them of the risks and show that life in Spain is not easy.
Nominated for the Goya Awards
Samb knows well that reaching Europe by irregular means is a constant obstacle course. His experiences were so brutal that he did not tell his family until last year, when he returned to Senegal to shoot a documentary about Kayar’s cayucos, directed by a filmmaker, which earned him a nomination for the 2025 Goya Awards and was shown at a migration seminar. He describes surviving on the streets for months, waking up with nothing to eat, scavenging for bread found in trash, and sometimes even finding worms which he dried in the sun to remove their sting. He recounts these moments to his mother, who listens with sadness as she discovers the suffering her son endured while earning a living as a mantero for a time.
When he arrived in Tenerife, the first question he faced was what his name was. He recalls, “My name is Thiambou, but the police wrote Thimbo. They don’t care what we call ourselves.” That mistake delayed his paperwork for nine years. He describes how he was not believed to be a minor and was sent to a Center for Internment of Foreigners, where he remained for 18 days. When his family sent the passport confirming his age, he went to tell the authorities that the document did not reflect his real name. He was accused of forgery and locked in a cell.
Theatre of the Oppressed
Through a workshop inspired by the Theatre of the Oppressed, Samb’s talent began to shine and he started a steady rise toward recognition, landing roles in series such as Antidisturbios, Fuerzas de Paz, and Apagón, and in films such as The Jump, Black Beach, The Silence of the Swamp, and Once Upon a Time in the Canaries. Beyond acting, Samb remains a staunch defender of human rights and uses his platform to speak up for those forced to migrate. He rejects the notion that migrants are criminals in Spain and notes how immigration and crime have become a divisive political narrative that harms those most in need. He emphasizes that the issue is not about blaming individuals but about addressing structural factors that push people to take desperate measures.
After eighteen years in Spain, Samb believes racism still exists but that it is more visible now. He observes that old patterns of hidden prejudice have given way to more explicit expressions. He says he would rather be acknowledged openly as a Black man than be smiled at while being treated as an outsider. His perspective on racism has evolved with time and experience.
Paternalism
When he visits Senegal to see his family, they sometimes call him white, implying that his new way of living no longer fits Africa. This always prompts reflection, because in Senegal he is told he thinks he is white, while in Spain some urge him to return home. In the documentary, Samb wanders through the neglected streets of his village, confronting his own paternalistic view of Africa and recognizing how European leftist politics have influenced that view. He believes change must begin from within Africa, but also notes that he has learned things in Spain that he would like to bring home. He jokes that he might be seen as a stubborn idealist trying to impact a life that is deeply rooted in its own realities, yet he remains convinced that dialogue and shared learning can help bridge worlds.
The recent parliamentary elections in Senegal saw the ruling party reaffirm its position, and many young people view this as a push for change and a new way to build the country. They support moves such as rethinking resource management and renegotiating external fishing agreements that affect local livelihoods. Samb argues that Senegal should regain control of its natural resources and decide its own future, independent of external pressures. He remains hopeful that the younger generation will drive meaningful reform and that these changes will arise from a collective sense of community and responsibility.