At the beginning of this year, BBC World Histories Magazine asked historians to nominate the ‘greatest leader’ –someone who exercised power and had a positive impact on humanity – and to explore their achievements and legacy. More than 5,000 readers voted, and in second place, with 25 per cent of the vote is Amilcar Cabral, who as head of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), led his country to independence. What made Cabral great? Why must those who struggle for Pan-Africanism know and understand this man’s life, work and legacy? Let’s examine his contributions. . . .