Seraphino Antao trainings on the sands of a Mombasa beach with coach Ray Batchelor |
Why
Mombasa does not raise
a totem in Seraphino’s name
Over the past few
decades supporters and fans of the only Kenyan to win a sprint double, the late
Seraphino Antao, at the Commonwealth Games in Perth in 1962, has failed in
repeated attempts to get the city fathers and politicians in Mombasa to raise a
permanent memorial to its most illustrious son. Another Goan, who was virtually
the godfather of the Kenya coast having helped many, many people, is another who
deserves recognition. I hope I am wrong, but I doubt if any recognition will be
forthcoming.
I have lent my
support to these voices and I tried speaking to various people in Nairobi, but
my words always fell on deaf ears, except one voice and he would not go on
record. He told me that “it is unlikely that any Goan will see his or her name
gracing any Mombasa street sign. There are fewer than 200 full-time Goans left
scattered along the Kenya Coast and Mombasa. Where their political influence is
non-existent or the at the best peripheral, their economic importance remains limited.
“It is not a
growing community it is a diminishing community. In a few decades, there may
not be anyone around to recognize the names of past heroes.” There are
approximately 80 regular Goan parishioners at the iconic Holy Ghost Cathedral.
From Mombasa, I
understand that the elderly members of the Goan community had concerns about
certain aspects of Antao’s life in the UK. (Although my sources is most reliable and an authority on Mombasa affairs. I would find it difficult believe any Goan would spike any effort to raise a permanent recognition of Antao's achievement at the Coast and around the world.)
On the other hand, there is a certain cynicism about names on Mombasa streets and, more particularly, those of politicians in Mombasa in general. According to one observer: One day they will name a street after a famous historical figure or prominent coast personality … and the next day it is re-named after a rival faction’s “flavour-of-the-month”.
On the other hand, there is a certain cynicism about names on Mombasa streets and, more particularly, those of politicians in Mombasa in general. According to one observer: One day they will name a street after a famous historical figure or prominent coast personality … and the next day it is re-named after a rival faction’s “flavour-of-the-month”.
“The main thoroughfare through
the Nyali suburb on the Mombasa North Coast was recently renamed Fidel Odinga
Street. Fidel was a young son of the political star Raila Odinga.
“When asked to justify
Fidel’s name on the Nyali street sign, one comment was ‘Fidel was a big
supporter of local commerce … the Mombasa hard drugs industry.’”
I do not wish to speak ill of
the dead, however, Fidel was said to have died of a heroin overdose. RIP in any
case.
Like Fidel, I think any
thoughts of Mombasa recognizing Antao are also dead. Shame on all those petty
decision-makers in Mombasa.
Pio Gama Pinto and Campos Ribeiro were the only two Goan names I recognised in Nairobi.
Pio Gama Pinto and Campos Ribeiro were the only two Goan names I recognised in Nairobi.
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