For the people who insist that Cabo Verde is a poor country let me give you my personal view. I have a good friend who is now retired and lives in Cabo Verde after devoting most of his life to the betterment of his country. Now he is unable to visit neighboring islands around him because he can’t afford it. He tells me that he wants to visit Boavista, but the island is now owned by foreign investments and therefore he would have to pay hotel rates imposed by the foreigners, which understandably he can’t afford. In the past, this would not have been a problem but now Cabo Verde has become an immediate attraction to foreign investments who are seeing the wealth of the country quicker than the eye can blink. All of this is happening while Cape Verdeans are becoming poorer and poorer and their homeland’s wealth is being drained slowly from underneath them.

In part I of this report, I mentioned that countries like United States, Spain and Portugal spent a fortune to promote Columbus and Vasco da Gama after 500 years. Lisbon and Seville became economic success stories as a result of these investments. In fact, they made a fortune by taking history of Cabo Verde and converting it for their own use. In all fairness to Spain and Portugal, both of these nations have helped restore important relics of Cape Verdean history especially in Cidade Velha and through the publication of history books.    

However, as far as I know, no one is commemorating 550 years of the discovery of the New World by Antonio da Noli, (1460 – 2010). I have had private conversations with several historians and we all agree in principle that Antonio da Noli discovered the New World, initiated globalization and created the beginnings of western civilization.

One of my biggest concerns is that no one will be coming to the party unless we start to investigate this matter and begin to organize and prepare for 2010. It’s a celebration of history with direct impact to Italians, Portuguese, Hispanics, African Americans, Jews, English, Arabs and Asians and represents a tremendous unifying force in a rapidly deteriorating world.

I would strongly recommend that Cape Verdeans become more aware of their history and learn the true importance of Cidade Velha. With additional knowledge, you can show the world that Cabo Verde and Cape Verdeans merit the same dignity that created the world fairs in Spain and Portugal (Expo 92 and Expo 98).

I would recommend that the government demonstrate to the people of Cape Verde that history can be an effective way to pull people out of poverty, especially for those entrepreneurs who would like to benefit from the tourist and education sectors of the economy.

I would recommend that Cape Verdeans everywhere become more aware of their past in order to build a better future and defend the interests and heritage that Dr. Amilcar Cabral desired when he opted for independence. I believe that Cape Verdeans should learn the exact location of these treasurers and develop a strong understanding of their places in world history.

Submitted by Dr. Marcel Balla

Tags: History Of Cabo Verde