The former president of Cape Verde, Pedro Pires has been shortlisted by Forbes magazine for the African Personality of the Year award for 2011. His name is one of five being put forward, and the nominee will be announced at the end of the month.
The award is given to the individual who has had most influence on events during the year, and this latest nomination comes shortly after Pedro Pires was awarded the prestigious Mo Ibrahim prize for good governance, having served his country for 16 years.
Pires was instrumental in helping to achieve independence for Cape Verde from Portugal and served as prime minister between 1975 and 1991, and was president between 2001 and 2011.
His second term expired earlier this year and he decided not to run for office again. Another of his major achievements was to transform the political system from being a single party autocracy into a multi-party democracy.
Cape Verde has achieved a tremendous amount in just a few short years, and although it is a small country it is notable for its democracy, stability and growing prosperity. The economy has been growing steadily over the past few years, and this is expected to continue in spite of the international crisis, although at a more moderate rate.
Travel companies have already reported an increase in winter holiday bookings to Cape Verde this year as the archipelago becomes better known. It's fast becoming a popular alternative to the Canaries, especially amongst clients looking to try somewhere a little different, as it still offers pretty much guaranteed sunshine without the need to fly long-haul.
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