环球英语 — 375：Mandela Day

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Voice 1

Hello and welcome to Spotlight. I'm Steve Myersco,

Voice 2

And I'm Ruby Jones. This programme uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.

Voice 1

What are you doing on the 18th of July? Do you have any special plans? Well, some people are hoping you will make the day special. They want everyone to do something good that day, to help other people. They want people to give sixty-seven [67] minutes of their lives. The groups behind the idea are both linked with the South African leader Nelson Mandela. They want July 18th to become Mandela Day.

Voice 2

Today's Spotlight is all about the idea of Mandela Day. The programme looks at what the day is about, and how people may get involved.

Voice 1

Nelson Mandela is one of the most famous leaders in the world. He is also one of the most respected people on the planet. When he was released from prison, millions of people all over the world celebrated. He spent twenty-seven [27] years in prison in South Africa. This was during the time of Apartheid in South Africa - when black people were not given equal rights to white people. Later he was elected South Africa's first black president. Today, he is respected for his leadership, wise words and work for important global issues.

Voice 2

So would the world be a better place if everyone copied Mandela's example? The creators of Mandela Day believe it would be. They want everyone to do something good on Mandela Day, to create a positive effect in the world.

Voice 1

Mandela Day is the idea of two organisations that value his life and work highly. One is the Nelson Mandela Foundation. It works for peace and social justice, particularly in South Africa. The other organisation is 46664. This organisation is named after the number that Nelson Mandela was given when he was in prison. 46664 helps people who suffer from the effects of HIV and AIDS.

Voice 2

The International Director of 46664 is Tim Massey. He explains what the day is all about.

Voice 3

‘Mandela Day is a day for all of us to understand and share particular values. They are the values that were a part of Mr Mandela's life - his fight for human rights, and his continuing fight for social justice. Mandela Day is a day for everyone to help bring change. Mr Mandela has given sixty-seven [67] years to fighting for human rights. All we are asking people to do is give sixty seven [67] minutes. Each of us can give sixty-seven [67] minutes to serve the community. It could be reading a newspaper to an old person. Or it could be spending time with someone with a serious disease. It depends on what people want to do. Each of us can give sixty-seven [67] minutes.'

Voice 1

July 18th 2009 will be the first ever Mandela Day. No one knows how popular the day will be. Will people choose to do something for Mandela Day? Or will the day be forgotten? Spotlight asked a few people what they thought about the idea of Mandela Day.

Voice 4

‘I think it is a good idea. It is probably something fun and useful for schools. But I do not think it will become an event that happens every year.'

Voice 5

‘I think it is a good idea. People should react well to it because it is something anyone can do. I think it will be very popular. I may get involved. I could go to the store for someone or help them in their house.'

Voice 6

‘It just seems like another "lets celebrate a great person" event. There is also the danger that people may do something small in a single hour in a year and think that is enough. I do not think I will get involved.'

Voice 2

So people have mixed feelings about Mandela Day. But what about the people who do choose to do something? What can they do?

Voice 1

46664 has created a list of ideas of what people can do on Mandela Day. Some require a lot of effort. Others are small things that anyone can do. Here are just a few of their ideas:

Voice 3

‘Fill in the holes in the road in the area that you live.'

Voice 4

‘Look through all your clothes and give your old ones to homeless people.'

Voice 5

‘Make a new friend. Sometimes people from different ethnic groups do not speak to each other. This can lead to trouble between different groups.'

Voice 4

‘Plant a tree.'

Voice 6

‘If you play a musical instrument go to your local old people's home and play for them.'

Voice 5

‘Create a website for someone or something that needs one.'

Voice 2

46664 is not the only group that has suggested some ideas for Mandela Day. A group of school children have also created their own list. It states ways that schools and communities can use the positive values of Mandela's life in their own lives. The document was developed by a group of South African and American school children. They worked together on the document in South Africa. American children won the trip to South Africa through a competition for schools in New York. The new document that the children have written together will now go to other countries. There, more people will have the chance to add their ideas to it.

Voice 1

Nelson Mandela has high hopes for July 18th. He hopes that people will have a big positive effect in their communities. He wants their work to leave a permanent mark - an imprint - on the world. We finish today's Spotlight in an unusual way. Here is Nelson Mandela himself. He is speaking to everyone who chooses to serve on July 18th.

Nelson Mandela

‘I sincerely thank you for your support for Mandela Day. For all those who continue to give service in their own way, I thank you. We each, every one of us can make an imprint.'