Meet the SG of WFDY

Name: Jesus Raphael Mora Gonzales

Country of Origin: Cuba

Age: 38

What do you do for a living in your country?
I am a Doctor of Medicine and also the Secretary General of WFDY.

In 1997 when the first South African delegation came to study in Cuba, they arrived to my University. I made a lot of friends, who have since become like family to me.

Is this your first time in Africa?
No. I first came to Africa in 1989 with the Cuban army. We were stationed in Angola between 1989 and 1990.
Is it compulsory for young Cubans to go to the military?
In Cuba all the young men must do some military service, but it was voluntary for us to sign up abroad. I wanted to fight for my African comrades so I came to Angola.


What would you like to see come out of the 17th World Festival of Youth and Students?
This is the first time we have been to South Africa as an Anti-Imperialist delegation. I would like to see South Africa heal from the inside and the youth to keep the movement going.


How far does South Africa and Cuba’s relationship go?
Oliver Tambo met with a Cuban representative in 1960. I’m not sure who it was. It might have been Che Guevara. Since then every year 10 students come to Cuba to study and get military training. Cuba also played a big role in the release of Nelson Mandela and the emancipation of Namibia. In fact, when Mandela was released from prison, the first country he visited was Cuba. The last meeting we had with a S. African rep was when Kgalema Motlanthe met with Fidel Castro in 27th April 2006.

How would you describe your contribution to the struggle?
My contribution is not personal. It is a united contribution. You must understand that our nationality comes from Africa, Spain and of Aborigine descent. So everyone in Cuba fights for the same cause. Cuba is a son of Africa. To be anti-imperialist means to pay a historical debt to the struggle.

Fidel likes to say: We never went to a country to take their diamonds or minerals. We came here to spread out culture. The only thing we took back to Cuba is the bodies of our fallen comrades.


What has been the highlight of your visit to South Africa?
I can’t name any one thing, but I love how South Africans love Fidel Castro. (He shows me a picture of him and Fidel take on the 17 November 2010 shortly before he left Cuba.) Fidel is very happy that the Festival is happening in South Africa.

What was your most memorable moment in the Youth Struggle?
Every time I meet Fidel. He is a big influence in my life. He is like a father to me.

Tell me 2 things that the youth would like about the country you are from?
- Fidel
- They would love to know and interchange with Cubans. Cubans love South Africans.


If you had implement any change in your country pertaining to the Youth, what would that change be?
It would be to make more protagonists.


What can young South Africans hope to learn from attending the festival?
They will learn about the struggles other youth have in their countries around the world; in Palestine, Western Sahara, DPRK, Sudan and 149 other countries. Most of all they will learn.

Complete the following sentence: “In my country...

...we believe that a better war is possible today.

...we believe in men and women.

...we are fighting because we want to keep our country.

...we want peace.

...we are ready to help everybody.

...50 000 students from all over the world get access to free education.

...we love South Africa.

...we don’t want to be rich, we want a socialist country.
Name 2 cuisines that your country is famous for.

Rice and beans (Arraz con Gris)

Yuka (also called “Mandiyoka” in Africa)



Jesus Mora says:

On the 05 December, President Jacob Zuma will visit Cuba. This will mark a historical moment for all Cubans. He will be met by 262 delegates who will be attending the 17th World Festival of Youth & students.