VOA常速英语2007年-Mandela: Ending HIV/AIDS Affliction Is 'In Our

By Delia Robertson
Johannesburg
01 December 2007

Nelson Mandela says the answer to ending the HIV/AIDS pandemic lies in the hands of the world's people. VOA's Delia Robertson reports South Africa's elder statesman¹ was speaking at an AIDS concert in Johannesburg.

The concertgoers, thousands of them, roared as Mr. Mandela appeared on stage at the annual AIDS concert.

The former South African President told the audience at the concert of his 46664 HIV/AIDS charity that treatment programs are not keeping pace with new infections.

"That for every person who receives treatment, there are four others that are newly infected," he noted².

Mr. Mandela was joined by dozens of local and international stars including Johnny Clegg, Annie Lennox, and Peter Gabriel.

He said that even though latest UNAIDS figures show a slowing down in the pandemic, a concerted effort is needed to turn those incremental³ changes into significant numbers.  And he said, it starts with reducing new infections.

"We have always said that if we are to stop the AIDS epidemic⁴ from expanding, we have to break the cycle of new HIV infections," he explained.  "All of us working together - government, communities, and civil society - can make the difference that is needed."

South Africa has the largest number of people living with HIV/AIDS, around 5.5 million.  Globally some 33 million are infected, most in sub-Saharan Africa.  Mr. Mandela said change requires breaking the silence around HIV/AIDS and sexual⁵ abuse.

"Talk openly about HIV and AIDS.  Urge those around you to change attitudes to people living with HIV," he added.  "Break the silence about violence against women and children. Start with you as an individual, as the 46664 slogan says:  It is in our hands."

The next 46664 concert will be in London next year to mark Mr Mandela's 90th birthday.

1 statesman   

n.国务活动家，政治家

参考例句：

• Friends gathered at a memorial for the late statesman.这位已故政治家的生前好友为他举行了纪念仪式。
• The statesman is much occupied with affairs of state.那个政治家忙于国事。

2 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

3 incremental   

adj.增加的

参考例句：

• For logic devices, the incremental current gain is very important. 对于逻辑器件来说，提高电流增益是非常重要的。 来自辞典例句
• By using an incremental approach, the problems involving material or geometric nonlinearity have been solved. 借应用一种增量方法，已经解决了包括材料的或几何的非线性问题。 来自辞典例句

4 epidemic   

n.流行病；盛行；adj.流行性的，流传极广的

参考例句：

• That kind of epidemic disease has long been stamped out.那种传染病早已绝迹。
• The authorities tried to localise the epidemic.当局试图把流行病限制在局部范围。

5 sexual   

adj.性的，两性的，性别的

参考例句：

• He was a person of gross sexual appetites.他是个性欲旺盛的人。
• It is socially irresponsible to refuse young people advice on sexual matters.拒绝向年轻人提供性方面的建议是对社会不负责任。