VOA标准英语 South African Elections Show Youth's New Force

During the elections in South Africa, a great deal of attention was paid to young voters whose growing numbers are causing a major demographic shift in the country. Young voters turned out in large numbers and emerged as a new force in South African politics.
　
Voters wait in line outside a polling station to cast their ballots¹ in national elections in Johannesburg, South Africa, 22 Apr 2009

It is early morning in the Orlando neighborhood of Soweto and a sharp wind blows on the hundreds of people waiting to vote at a neighborhood school.

The voting center lies two blocks from the site of a massacre² in 1976 of school children who were demonstrating against apartheid. It was an event that marked a turning point in the movement and is commemorated³ by the nearby apartheid museum.

Ayanda Sithole, 19, who works for an insurance company, was not alive that day but she knows her history. She is excited about voting for the first time because she feels she now has a say in her country's future.

"It is working. It's paid [finished] the apartheid era," said Sithole. "Because right now look at us. We've got have the right to vote, to choose, to say I like that, I don't like that. The freedom is all over the place for everyone."

The African National Congress, which led the anti-apartheid struggle, is expected to win the elections. But after 15 years in power it is facing increasing criticism for failing to meet people's expectations.

First-time voter Lesego Manye, 22, says too many young people today are unemployed⁴.

"We all want to have money. We all want to live good," said Manye. "So that's the reason why I'm saying, having jobs, so it will be a better place for everybody, knowing that income will be coming in. No hunger. It will decrease poverty."

One-third of South Africa's voters are under the age of 30 years. And more than two million new voters were registered for this election. Political experts say young voters are more likely to switch political allegiances if they are disappointed, a fact that has not been lost on the politicians.

Thembekile Magadla, 25, has been looking for a permanent job since she graduated from school five years ago.

She acknowledges there have been some improvements under the ANC government but says that does not mean she will always vote for it.

"A lot of things are changing in South Africa. We've got RDP [public] houses," she said. "They are fixing the streets, the electricity. They are canceling the rents. So at least I can see the improvements in South Africa, especially in Soweto. [But] if there's no development I'll go for other parties."

Bongani Mazibuko, 32, has been unemployed since leaving school 12 years ago. He voted in the elections of 1999 but did not vote five years ago.

"I didn't have any interest last time," said Mazibuko. "But I can see now I have to because I need a change at home."

Siphiwe Nkosi, a 25-year-old salesman, says there are other needs that he would like to tell the new leadership to focus on.

"Try to create some jobs, more sports and better education. Open new schools and maybe the kids shouldn't pay the fines [fees] for school because I think with better education we are going somewhere," said Nkosi.

University student Khethewinkosi Basi, 20, hopes South Africa's next leader will adopt a new style and be more responsive to the people.

"He must sit down with the people, communicate with everybody to have an equal [relationship], not like the former ones [leaders]. If he sits with the people and tries to be nice to the people and also take advice from other parties, he will succeed," said Basi.

Experts say the ANC, because of its anti-apartheid credentials⁵, still enjoys strong support among young people. But they also note that many young people say they want change and this is leading some of them to consider voting for the opposition⁶.

1 ballots   

n.投票表决( ballot的名词复数 )；选举；选票；投票总数v.（使）投票表决( ballot的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• They're counting the ballots. 他们正在计算选票。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The news of rigged ballots has rubbed off much of the shine of their election victory. 他们操纵选票的消息使他们在选举中获得的胜利大为减色。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 massacre   

n.残杀，大屠杀；v.残杀，集体屠杀

参考例句：

• There was a terrible massacre of villagers here during the war.在战争中，这里的村民惨遭屠杀。
• If we forget the massacre,the massacre will happen again!忘记了大屠杀，大屠杀就有可能再次发生！

3 commemorated   

v.纪念，庆祝( commemorate的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Lincoln commemorated the soldiers killed in the battle in his address. 林肯在演说中表扬阵亡将士。 来自辞典例句
• You'll be commemorated for killing a spy, and be specially discharged. 你们每杀一个间谍将会被记录到特殊档案。 来自电影对白

4 unemployed   

adj.失业的，没有工作的；未动用的，闲置的

参考例句：

• There are now over four million unemployed workers in this country.这个国家现有四百万失业人员。
• The unemployed hunger for jobs.失业者渴望得到工作。

5 credentials   

n.证明，资格，证明书，证件

参考例句：

• He has long credentials of diplomatic service.他的外交工作资历很深。
• Both candidates for the job have excellent credentials.此项工作的两个求职者都非常符合资格。

6 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。