PRETORIA, South Africa—The 17th World Festival of Youth and Students opened here December 13 with thousands of delegates from countries throughout the world gathering for an opening ceremony in the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Tshwane. The theme this year is “Let’s defeat imperialism, for a world of peace, solidarity, and social transformations.” This is the first time the festival has been held in sub-Saharan Africa.

The festival is dedicated to Nelson Mandela and Fidel Castro. Among those who spoke at the opening was Jacob Zuma, president of South Africa. He said, “We are saying that this country which was isolated for so many decades due to the evils of apartheid has opened its borders to progressive events of this nature.” Julius Malema, head of the African National Congress Youth League, also spoke and a message was read to the delegates from Fidel Castro.

—LAURA GARZA