48. Nelson Mandela

People around the world¹ are remembering Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first black president. He died² Thursday at the age³ of 95.

                     

South African President Jacob Zuma said the nation “has lost its greatest son, and our people have lost a father.”

Mandela had been⁴ in poor health⁵ for several⁶ years. He was repeatedly⁷ treated in hospitals, most recently for a lung infection⁸. He became⁹ infected with tuberculosis many years ago while in prison.

Nelson Mandela was the main leader¹⁰ in efforts¹¹ to end white minority rule¹² in South Africa. He spent¹³ 27 years in prison for his part in fighting apartheid -- the nation’s policy¹⁴ of discrimination against¹⁵ blacks.

Many world leaders, past and present, are remembering Nelson Mandela.

Frederick W. de Klerk was South Africa’s last apartheid leader. He freed¹⁶ Mandela from prison in 1990. Later, the two men won¹⁷ the Nobel Peace Prize¹⁸. Mr. de Klerk said people will remember Mandela for the importance he placed¹⁹ on reconciliation -- being able to²⁰ reach a settlement²¹ between conflicting sides²². He said their relationship²³ was, in his words, “often stormy²⁴,” but he said they were “always able to come together²⁵ at critical moments.”

South African Archbishop²⁶ Desmond Tutu was active in the struggle²⁷ to end apartheid. He also was a friend of Nelson Mandela. He praised²⁸ Mandela for his actions and statements²⁹ after he was released from prison³⁰. Archbishop Tutu said instead of³¹ “calling for his pound³² of flesh³³", he proclaimed the message of forgiveness³⁴ and reconciliation.”

                                            

In the United States, President Barack Obama called Mandela an influential³⁵, brave and profoundly³⁶ good human being³⁷. Mr. Obama said Mandela will be remembered for leaving³⁸ a free South Africa at peace.

“I am one of the countless³⁹ millions who drew⁴⁰ inspiration from Nelson Mandela’s life. My very first political action -- the first thing I ever did that involved an issue⁴¹, or a policy, or politics -- was a protest against apartheid. I would study his words and his writings. The day he was released from prison gave⁴² me a sense of what human beings can do when they’re guided by their hopes⁴³ and not by their fears⁴⁴.”

President Obama said flags⁴⁵ at the White House and other government buildings will be lowered⁴⁶ through Monday in honor of⁴⁷ Nelson Mandela. Few⁴⁸ foreign leaders are honored by the United States in this way⁴⁹.

Former⁵⁰ presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush also praised Mandela as a champion of freedom⁵¹, human dignity and equality. Another former president -- George H.W. Bush -- called Mandela “a man of tremendous moral courage” who changed the direction of history in his country.

                                     

In London, British Prime Minister⁵² David Cameron called Mandela a true global hero. In his words, a great light has gone out⁵³ in the world.                     

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Mandela, “one of the most honorable figures of our time.” Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called him “a symbol of freedom from colonialism and occupation.” He called Mr. Mandela’s death⁵⁴ “a great loss⁵⁵.”

Vocabulary


1. People around the world = pessoas ao redor do mundo
2. died = morreu
3. age = idade
4. had been = tinha estado
5. poor health = saúde precária
6. several = vários
7. repeatedly = repetidas vezes
8. lung infection = infecção no pulmão
9. became = tornou-se
10. main leader = lider principal
11. efforts = esforços
12. white minority rule = governo da minoria branca
13. spent = passou
14. policy = política
15. against = contra
16. freed = libertou
17. won = venceu, ganhou
18. Nobel Peace Prize = premio nobel da paz
19. placed = colocou
20. being able to = ser capaz de
21. reach a settlement = chegar a um acordo
22. conflicting sides = lados conflitantes
23. relationship = relacionamento
24. stormy = tempestuoso
25. come together = encontrar-se
26. Archbishop = arcebispo
27. struggle = luta
28. praised = elogiou
29. statements = declarações
30. released from prison = solto da prisão
31. instead of = ao invés de
32. pound = libra
33. flesh = carne
34. forgiveness = perdão
35. influential = influente
36. profoundly = profundamente
37. human being = ser humano
38. for leaving = por deixar
39. countless = incontável
40. drew = tirou
41. issue = questão
42. gave = deu
43. guided by their hopes = guiados por suas esperanças
44. fears = medos
45. flags = bandeiras
46. lowered = arriadas, baixadas
47. in honor of = em homenagem a
48. Few = poucos
49. in this way = desta forma
50. Former = ex
51. champion of freedom = campeão da liberdade
52. British Prime Minister = Primeiro Ministro Britanico
53. gone out = extinguiu-se
54. death = morte

55. loss = perda