Cape Verde stand up - By Any Delgado

We were taught to resist from the cradle.When the ground was dry, we were sown hope.When hunger gripped our stomachs, we fed on dignity.And when the world wanted to forget us, we responded with the warmth in our voices, with the drumming in our chests, with erudite words and with suffering sweat.

We are many scattered around the world.We are the diaspora that sends remittances and longings, and the island that sings even when it cries.We are Cape Verdeans, ondi ki nu anda.

Today, more than ever, is a time for unity.Let's not kid ourselves, the country is not built with party flags, but with joined hands.

You don't govern with slogans. You govern with truth.You don't save a people with promises, but with justice and courage.

To young people I say: you are not the future. You are the present!To the women: there is no nation without your strength and resilience.To those who live far away: this homeland is also yours, and el mestê de bsot.To those who have already lost hope: I lend you mine, in one piece... until you believe again.

This land can no longer be condemned to misery or abandonment.We were not born to be beggars of the world, nor to thank alms with our heads bowed.We have resources, we have talent, we have history; we have a People with determination.

We have everything to be great.But we lack one thing: belief in DJUNT.

That's why I'm making an appeal here today:

CABO VERDE, LEVANTA-TE!

LEAD UP! For your language, your culture, your poets, your history and your people.

RISE UP! For your fishermen, the students, the musicians, the workers, the teachers.

LIFT UP! with the strength of your islands, with the memory of your martyrs, with the dreams of those who still believe.

We are not less... Let's not accept being treated as less.Let's not resign ourselves to corruption, favoritism and abandonment.

This country is ours! And it's time to take it back with dignity.

Our independence was not the end. It was the beginning of an immense responsibility.Fifty years on, we have a duty to look forward with the same faith that brought us here.

Let's raise our heads!Let's open our eyes!Let's close our fists!

Because Cape Verde is not a tourist brand.It is a living people, who think, who feel, who fight and who love.

And as long as there is a single Cape Verdean who is hungry, as long as there is a single child without a school, a single woman who is silenced, a single young person who wants to leave out of despair... then the struggle continues.

But together, YES DJUNT, we can.Together, we will write the most beautiful page in our history.

CABO VERDE, LEVITUTE!

For your time is now.Because your people are ready.And because we, your children, will NEVER abandon you.

Any Delgado