World pays tribute to Mandela

JOHANNESBURG, July 18 (Xinhua) -- World leaders, civilians¹ and celebrities² alike took time off their busy schedules on Saturday to pay tribute to the father of the South African nation on his 91st birthday, the South African Press Association reported.

South African President Jacob Zuma, deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe, former president Thabo Mbeki, former Zambian president Kenneth Kaunda and former U.S. president Bill Clinton were among the leaders who paid tribute to Nelson Mandela by dedicating 67 minutes to community work.

"He loved even those who persecuted⁴ him. Even when he was released after 27 years, he taught reconciliation⁵ and forgiveness," said Zuma as he addressed the elderly at an old-age home in Ivory Park.

"He taught that the only way to achieve personal freedom was to release hatred⁶ from your heart."

Earlier, Zuma was one of the visitors at Mandela's Houghton home, which was also packed outside with journalists.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation (NMF) said more than 90 people visited him at home, including Kaunda, various members of the ANC National Executive Committee, Mandela's wife Grace Machel and his former wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and grandchildren.

"He received a standing⁷ ovation⁸ from politicians who sang happy birthday to him," the foundation said.

"Madiba blew out the ten gold candles on his cake in the ANC colours of black, green and gold. The cake was shaped in the numbers 91.

"Written on it were the words, 'Long Live Madiba', written in chocolate icing," the foundation said.

Mandela ate a piece of cake offered to him by his eight-year-old grandson Ziyanda Manaway.

Speaking at the Houghton gathering⁹, Zuma said it was a blessing¹⁰ from God that Madiba was still alive at his age.

"Sit at home as a pensioner¹¹ and have no worries that the ANC isin good hands. We will follow your example forever," Zuma assured Mandela.

At the Nelson Mandela Day celebration in Newtown, Johannesburg on Saturday afternoon, Motlanthe called on all South Africans to emulate¹² Mandela's humility¹³ and vision.

He added that if people failed Madiba, it was a betrayal and a crime against history.

"Madiba has made the world a better place. Let us emulate his confidence, his humility, his determination, his strength and his vision," Motlanthe said.

Former Zambian president Kenneth Kaunda described Madiba as a "God-send".

"He is God's messenger. He truly loved his neighbour as he loved himself. A truly remarkable¹⁴ man he is."

Former president Thabo Mbeki also praised Mandela, saying he was an inspiration towards completing the work still needed to be done in South Africa.

"Really what needs to be done is ensuring that we continue very firmly and very steadily¹⁵ on the path towards a better life for the people in conditions of stability for the country, in conditions of unity³ for the people of South Africa."

Former U.S. president Bill Clinton also paid tribute to Mandelain New York by raising funds at a gala dinner. The proceeds were to go to charities in the area.

New York was also hosting a star-studded concert in honour of Madiba with performers including Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keyes and the Soweto Gospel Choir¹⁶.

Speaking from the city, NMF chief executive Achmat Dangor said Mandela was healthy at 91-years-old.

"He is so vigorous for his age," Dangor said, on SABC television.

And while politicians paid tribute to the world's greatest living icon¹⁷, so too did the people whom he served.

South Africans planned to spend Saturday sprucing up neglected schools, painting vandalised walls, distributing food parcels and blankets, and even reading newspapers to the elderly.

Others expressed their well wishes to Madiba by sending cellphone text messages to news channels and media houses.

By midday, the SABC had received 11,000 birthday messages for Madiba.

Meanwhile, NMF which is at the forefront of the birthday celebrations, raked in 2.2 million rand (270,000 U.S. dollars) in fund-raising.

Even at Mandela's rural village Qunu near Mthatha in the Eastern Cape¹⁸, celebrations continued. Buses continued to arrive with traditional dancers from around the country to show off their performances.(本文由在线英语听力室整理编辑)

1 civilians   

平民，百姓( civilian的名词复数 )； 老百姓

参考例句：

• the bloody massacre of innocent civilians 对无辜平民的血腥屠杀
• At least 300 civilians are unaccounted for after the bombing raids. 遭轰炸袭击之后，至少有300名平民下落不明。

2 celebrities   

n.（尤指娱乐界的）名人( celebrity的名词复数 )；名流；名声；名誉

参考例句：

• He only invited A-list celebrities to his parties. 他只邀请头等名流参加他的聚会。
• a TV chat show full of B-list celebrities 由众多二流人物参加的电视访谈节目

3 unity   

n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调

参考例句：

• When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。
• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。

4 persecuted   

（尤指宗教或政治信仰的）迫害(~sb. for sth.)( persecute的过去式和过去分词 )； 烦扰，困扰或骚扰某人

参考例句：

• Throughout history, people have been persecuted for their religious beliefs. 人们因宗教信仰而受迫害的情况贯穿了整个历史。
• Members of these sects are ruthlessly persecuted and suppressed. 这些教派的成员遭到了残酷的迫害和镇压。

5 reconciliation   

n.和解，和谐，一致

参考例句：

• He was taken up with the reconciliation of husband and wife.他忙于做夫妻间的调解工作。
• Their handshake appeared to be a gesture of reconciliation.他们的握手似乎是和解的表示。

6 hatred   

n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨

参考例句：

• He looked at me with hatred in his eyes.他以憎恨的眼光望着我。
• The old man was seized with burning hatred for the fascists.老人对法西斯主义者充满了仇恨。

7 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

8 ovation   

n.欢呼，热烈欢迎，热烈鼓掌

参考例句：

• The hero received a great ovation from the crowd. 那位英雄受到人群的热烈欢迎。
• The show won a standing ovation. 这场演出赢得全场起立鼓掌。

9 gathering   

n.集会，聚会，聚集

参考例句：

• He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
• He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。

10 blessing   

n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿

参考例句：

• The blessing was said in Hebrew.祷告用了希伯来语。
• A double blessing has descended upon the house.双喜临门。

11 pensioner   

n.领养老金的人

参考例句：

• The tax threshold for a single pensioner is$ 445.单身领退休年金者的纳税起点为445英镑。
• It was the pensioner's vote late in the day that influenced the election of Mr.Sweet.最后是领取养老金者的选票影响了斯威特先生的当选。

12 emulate   

v.努力赶上或超越，与…竞争；效仿

参考例句：

• You must work hard to emulate your sister.你必须努力工作，赶上你姐姐。
• You must look at the film and try to emulate his behavior.你们必须观看这部电影，并尽力模仿他的动作。

13 humility   

n.谦逊，谦恭

参考例句：

• Humility often gains more than pride.谦逊往往比骄傲收益更多。
• His voice was still soft and filled with specious humility.他的声音还是那么温和，甚至有点谦卑。

14 remarkable   

adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的

参考例句：

• She has made remarkable headway in her writing skills.她在写作技巧方面有了长足进步。
• These cars are remarkable for the quietness of their engines.这些汽车因发动机没有噪音而不同凡响。

15 steadily   

adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地

参考例句：

• The scope of man's use of natural resources will steadily grow.人类利用自然资源的广度将日益扩大。
• Our educational reform was steadily led onto the correct path.我们的教学改革慢慢上轨道了。

16 choir   

n.唱诗班，唱诗班的席位，合唱团，舞蹈团；v.合唱

参考例句：

• The choir sang the words out with great vigor.合唱团以极大的热情唱出了歌词。
• The church choir is singing tonight.今晚教堂歌唱队要唱诗。

17 icon   

n.偶像，崇拜的对象，画像

参考例句：

• They found an icon in the monastery.他们在修道院中发现了一个圣像。
• Click on this icon to align or justify text.点击这个图标使文本排齐。

18 cape   

n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风

参考例句：

• I long for a trip to the Cape of Good Hope.我渴望到好望角去旅行。
• She was wearing a cape over her dress.她在外套上披着一件披肩。