Mandela misses World Cup opening

    The World Cup has opened amid jubilant scenes in South Africa, but Nelson Mandela missed the event after a car crash killed his great-granddaughter（曾孙女）.
    Zenani Mandela, 13, died when the car taking her home from a pre-competition concert in Soweto overturned.
    The car's driver was arrested and charged with drink-driving.
    The Nelson Mandela Foundation（基金会） said the tragedy made it inappropriate for the former president, who is 91, to attend the opening ceremony in Johannesburg.
    "We are sure that South Africans and people all over the world will stand in solidarity（团结） with Mr Mandela and his family in the aftermath of this tragedy," said a statement.
    "We continue to believe that the World Cup is a momentous¹ and historic occasion for South Africa and the continent and we are certain it will be a huge success.
    "Madiba [Mr Mandela's clan² name] will be there with you in spirit today."The male driver, who was reportedly unhurt and has not yet been named, may also face culpable³ homicide charges, police said.
    "He lost control of the vehicle（车辆） and it collided with a barricade," police spokeswoman Edna Mamonyane told the Associated Press. "The Metro⁴ police found that he was drunk."The driver was expected to appear in court for a preliminary hearing at a later stage.
    Early reports quoted police as saying Nelson Mandela's former wife, Winnie Madikizela, had been in the car when the accident happened.
    The foundation told the BBC Ms Madikizela-Mandela was not in the car - which was the only vehicle involved in the crash - but that she had been taken to hospital because of her shock at the news of Zenani's death.
    Foundation spokesman Sello Hating said she had been released from hospital after a couple of hours and returned home.
    "The family has asked for privacy as they mourn this tragedy," said the foundation in a statement.
    In a letter of condolence to Mr Mandela, Fifa President Sepp Blatter described the young girl's death as "unspeakably tragic⁵".
    Zenani had celebrated⁶ her 13th birthday on 9 June.
    South Africa has one of the world's worst road safety records, and there is an average of 42 deaths each day on roads across the country.(本文由在线英语听力室整理编辑)

1 momentous   

adj.重要的，重大的

参考例句：

• I am deeply honoured to be invited to this momentous occasion.能应邀出席如此重要的场合，我深感荣幸。
• The momentous news was that war had begun.重大的新闻是战争已经开始。

2 clan   

n.氏族，部落，宗族，家族，宗派

参考例句：

• She ranks as my junior in the clan.她的辈分比我小。
• The Chinese Christians,therefore,practically excommunicate themselves from their own clan.所以，中国的基督徒简直是被逐出了自己的家族了。

3 culpable   

adj.有罪的，该受谴责的

参考例句：

• The judge found the man culpable.法官认为那个人有罪。
• Their decision to do nothing makes them culpable.他们不采取任何行动的决定使他们难辞其咎。

4 metro   

n.地铁；adj.大都市的；(METRO)麦德隆(财富500强公司之一总部所在地德国，主要经营零售)

参考例句：

• Can you reach the park by metro?你可以乘地铁到达那个公园吗？
• The metro flood gate system is a disaster prevention equipment.地铁防淹门系统是一种防灾设备。

5 tragic   

adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的

参考例句：

• The effect of the pollution on the beaches is absolutely tragic.污染海滩后果可悲。
• Charles was a man doomed to tragic issues.查理是个注定不得善终的人。

6 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。