He always fought for the distribution of the desired liquid element for the thirsty lands of the Island. In October 2014 he received the tribute of society when he was named Illustrious Son of Tenerife. The then president of the Cabildo, Carlos Alonso, described him as a “man of consensus”. In this context, he highlighted his human and professional career as well as his tireless work that at all times brought out the best of himself for the benefit of the community. “Intelligence, ability and an attitude of dialogue and consensus” in the abstract.
This characteristic was especially evident in the difficult and turbulent period that lasted from 1985, the time of the National Water Law, until 1990 when the current Canary Islands Water Law was enacted. From a situation of political-social tension, it passed to one of absolute consensus.
Jesús Mesa closed his response speech that day with some verses by Rosalía de Castro, that the honoree himself modified: “Goodbye wells, goodbye rooms and pesetas lost in galleries that were unsuccessful.”
César Jesús Mesa Hernández, (Arafo, 1922-S / C de Tenerife 2021) did primary studies in his town and took the entrance test for Secondary Education, in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Public Instruction of the Republic, in June 1936, On July 18 the uprising occurs and a civil war begins that affected his entire family, who belonged to the Republican side, frustrating his planned entry into the Baccalaureate.
During the war and after the war, in the free time that work in the fields left him, – since he was 14 years old on his parents’ land – he reads everything he finds. Among the few books was a Civil Code, without covers or index. Not having the latter, he had to read and reread to find what interested him. And with his good memory he literally remembered articles.
Jesús Mesa was an avid reader of geography, history, philosophy, and classical poetry. Also narrative literature although he was interested that it was credible and not very fantastic. THe also had an interest in politics and a desire to participate, but his ideal, devoid of demagoguery and altruistic, did not fit well with the times in which he had to live, little suited to a true democracy that was always his ideal.
After his military service, he began researching, drilling and supplying underground water from galleries and then from wells. The practical necessity leads him to be interested in hydrogeology and law, in a self-taught way. Member of the General Board and of the Governing Board of the Insular Council of Waters of Tenerife, member of the National Federation of Irrigation Communities or counselor of Emmasa for twelve years. He was distinguished with the first prize La Aguadora.
Jesús Mesa dedicated his entire life to promoting the activity and development of the collection of groundwater on the Island, its transportation, storage and management, with a decisive role in this matter. First from the private sector and then as its representative before the Administration.
A good person, according to those who knew him, and someone who by his wisdom could, and did, give good advice. A figure has left, but underneath there was someone upright, old-school in training, but modern in attitude to life and to others. A gentleman who radiated his personality from the countryside of his native south to the world.
