Images of leaders Fidel Castro and Nelson Mandela, to whom the 17th edition of the World Festival of Youth and Students is dedicated, stood out on Monday in the multi-colored parade that opened that event in Pretoria, South Africa.     

Jacob Zuma, President of the host country, urged new generations on the planet to be more united and to struggle for a better and fairer world with the real achievement of the basic rights for human beings.

Youngsters should suggest practical solutions to obstacles, pointed out the head of state, who added that they deserve the opportunity to contribute to the economic and social development of their nations, the Prensa Latina news agency reported.

Over 20,000 delegates from some 140 countries gathered at the Lucas Moripe Stadium, under the slogan “Let’s defeat imperialism, for a world of peace, solidarity and social transformation.”

Meanwhile, the hosts attracted the attention of all participants, while singing numerous songs of their people in the struggle against the segregationist regime of the apartheid.

Julius Malema, president of the Youth League of the African National Congress, underlined that South Africa will always be next to Cubans, who accompanied them to achieve their independence in the combat against imperialists.

While speaking during the inaugural ceremony of the meeting, which will end on December 21, he also highlighted the current work of Cuban professionals in that southern country.

He specified that South Africa supports the struggle of other peoples for their real independence, and stated that the youth can never forget the spirit of those who defeated the segregationist regime of the apartheid and the fought the battle for total emancipation.

Malema stressed that South Africa struggles to maintain its independence and dreams about expanding solidarity between all nations on the globe.

He also criticized the presence of US military bases in dissimilar areas of the world and urged to support just causes, like the reunification of the Korean peninsula.
Inspired by the examples of Fidel and Mandela, to whom the Festival is especially dedicated, we’ll never be afraid of imperialism, said Malema sententiously.

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