2006年VOA标准英语-South Africans Remember Soweto Uprising

By Rowan Reid
Johannesburg
16 June 2006

South Africans have been celebrating the role played by young people in the fight against apartheid, three decades after their protests spawned¹ a movement against white minority rule, which was finally ended in 1994. More than 40,000 people gathered at Johannesburg's main soccer stadium Friday and Rowan Reid was there for VOA.

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South African youths hold banner with picture of former Nelson Mandela's ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela during  commemoration of 30th anniversary of uprisings in Soweto   
  

National Youth Day is a special holiday for most South Africans. It's held on the anniversary of the day the first children were killed in the struggle against apartheid.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Soweto uprising.

At the FNB soccer stadium outside Johannesburg, more than 40,000 people were bussed in from around the country to celebrate. Most, children born after apartheid had ended. And, while many have little understanding of what happened on that day, they all understand its consequences - freedom.

"From what I know people were suffering at that time this generation now we are more free than those people in 1976," one person said.

"The students of 76 they decided² they wanted to stood up fight for their rights but today as 30 years back we are free and we are together," said another man.
 
 
Thabo Mbeki stands as national anthem³ is sung at stadium in Soweto, June 16
  
Thabo Mbeki joined the celebrations, and thanked the class of 1976 for its contribution to South Africa's democracy. He urged all sectors⁴ of society to play a greater role in helping⁵ resolve the challenges faced by young people today.

"We remember the youth of 1976 because they have left us a lesson, a lesson that it is possible for young people to stand up and confront the challenges facing them," he said. "We remember them because we would like the youth gathered here today and their comrades throughout our country, to follow their example unwavering commitment as they confront the modern day challenges of poverty and unemployment, of alcohol and drug abuse, of AIDs and other diseases, of illiteracy⁶, women and child abuse and other problems that make the lives of our youth difficult."

Mbeki's speech resonated with the many parents in the stadium who see the challenges of a modern society every bit as dangerous as rioting against the police.

"We need to formalize a good strategy of how can we, when we mobilize the youth of today, to focus for economic development rather than to go to alcohol or drugs abuse or to promote HIV/AIDs,"  one man said.

Along with the many young people at the tribute, were others who were there to reflect on the changes achieved and to remember fallen heroes.

"Thirty years ago my dad died, on this day. I feel proud because, I brought my daughter, I wish the cameras were here so that they can see, that the world can see that the son of Mosi after 30 years," one man recalled. "For me it's an anniversary, I am celebrating the lives of those who have died for this younger boy."

1 spawned   

（鱼、蛙等）大量产（卵）( spawn的过去式和过去分词 )； 大量生产

参考例句：

• The band's album spawned a string of hit singles. 这支乐队的专辑繁衍出一连串走红的单曲唱片。
• The computer industry has spawned a lot of new companies. 由于电脑工业的发展，许多新公司纷纷成立。

2 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

3 anthem   

n.圣歌，赞美诗，颂歌

参考例句：

• All those present were standing solemnly when the national anthem was played.奏国歌时全场肃立。
• As he stood on the winner's rostrum,he sang the words of the national anthem.他站在冠军领奖台上，唱起了国歌。

4 sectors   

n.部门( sector的名词复数 )；领域；防御地区；扇形

参考例句：

• Berlin was divided into four sectors after the war. 战后柏林分成了4 个区。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Industry and agriculture are the two important sectors of the national economy. 工业和农业是国民经济的两个重要部门。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

5 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

6 illiteracy   

n.文盲

参考例句：

• It is encouraging to read that illiteracy is declining.从读报中了解文盲情况正在好转，这是令人鼓舞的。
• We must do away with illiteracy.我们必须扫除文盲。