2019年CRI South Africa's ruling party retains power

 

The final tallies¹ for last week's elections in South Africa have now been finalized².

The ruling African National Congress, which has been in power since 1994, has once again won the election, but with a reduced majority.

"For the sixth time in 26 years in a roll, the majority party in the national assembly of South Africa will be the African National Congress with 230 seats."

Glen Mashinini, head of the Electoral Commission of South Africa, is announcing that the African National Congress or ANC has won South Africa's sixth post-apartheid election.

The ANC has secured 57.5% of the parliamentary vote, down from the 62% won in the previous election in 2014.

This is the first time the ANC has won less than 60% of the vote in a national poll since it took power in 1994. Its seats in the 400-member parliament now falls from 249 to 230.

The country's two major opposition³ parties the Democratic Alliance and the Economic Freedom Fighters have picked up 20.8% and 10.8% respectively.

Addressing the official results announcement, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa suggests the elections demonstrate the vibrancy⁴ of the country's freedom and democracy.

"Having observed millions of our people casting their votes patiently, enthusiastically and peacefully three days ago, we now have a greater appreciation⁵ of what President Nelson Mandela meant during his inauguration⁶ on 10 May 1994 when he said: 'Let freedom reign⁷. The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement.' This election confirms that freedom does indeed reign in South Africa. It gives us the assurance that our people are the true custodians⁸ of our freedom and democracy."

Ramaphosa calls on the nation to set aside differences and work together to develop the country.

"Let us now work together – black and white, women and men, young and old – to build a South Africa that truly belongs to all who live in it, one which is united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous."

South African is second largest economy in Africa.

Yet the past decade has seen its economy faltering⁹, unemployment rising and corruption¹⁰ rampant¹¹.

Its economy grew 0.8 percent in 2018 and its unemployment rate now stands at 27%, over half of whom are young people.

Many people are counting on Ramaphosa, who replaced the resigned former President Jacob Zuma last February, to bring positive changes to the country.

"I'm from the countryside. There've been a lot of changes. But we want more changes. Bring changes in areas where there were no changes, in terms of infrastructure¹² and job opportunities for a lot of people. I think he (Ramaphosa) is capable and we are looking forward to his presidency¹³."

Domestic and international observers are saying this year's elections are free and fair, although 27 smaller parties running in the elections are alleging¹⁴ irregularities such as double voting and threatening legal action.

1 tallies   

n.账( tally的名词复数 )；符合；（计数的）签；标签v.计算，清点( tally的第三人称单数 )；加标签（或标记）于；（使）符合；（使）吻合

参考例句：

• Cash on hand tallies with the figure in the accounts. 现款跟账上的数目没有出入。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• He tallies his own marks. 他把自己的得分记了下来。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 finalized   

vt.完成（finalize的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• The draft of this article has been finalized [done]. 这篇文章已经定稿。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• The draft was revised several times before it was finalized. 稿子几经删改才定下来。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

3 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。

4 vibrancy   

n.活跃；震动

参考例句：

• I like the vibrancy of her character.我喜欢她的活泼性格。
• Tom felt himself being drawn towards her vibrant personality. 汤姆感觉自己被她充满朝气的个性所吸引。

5 appreciation   

n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨

参考例句：

• I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to you all.我想对你们所有人表达我的感激和谢意。
• I'll be sending them a donation in appreciation of their help.我将送给他们一笔捐款以感谢他们的帮助。

6 inauguration   

n.开幕、就职典礼

参考例句：

• The inauguration of a President of the United States takes place on January 20.美国总统的就职典礼于一月二十日举行。
• Three celebrated tenors sang at the president's inauguration.3位著名的男高音歌手在总统就职仪式上演唱。

7 reign   

n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势

参考例句：

• The reign of Queen Elizabeth lapped over into the seventeenth century.伊丽莎白王朝延至17世纪。
• The reign of Zhu Yuanzhang lasted about 31 years.朱元璋统治了大约三十一年。

8 custodians   

n.看守人，保管人( custodian的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• If we aren't good custodians for our planet, what right do we have to be here? 如果我们作为自己星球的管理者不称职我们还有什么理由留在这里？ 来自电影对白
• Custodians primarily responsible for the inspection of vehicles, access, custody. 保管员主要负责车辆的验收、出入、保管。 来自互联网

9 faltering   

犹豫的，支吾的，蹒跚的

参考例句：

• The economy shows no signs of faltering. 经济没有衰退的迹象。
• I canfeel my legs faltering. 我感到我的腿在颤抖。

10 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

11 rampant   

adj.(植物)蔓生的；狂暴的，无约束的

参考例句：

• Sickness was rampant in the area.该地区疾病蔓延。
• You cannot allow children to rampant through the museum.你不能任由小孩子在博物馆里乱跑。

12 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

13 presidency   

n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期)

参考例句：

• Roosevelt was elected four times to the presidency of the United States.罗斯福连续当选四届美国总统。
• Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency.两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。

14 alleging   

断言，宣称，辩解( allege的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• His reputation was blemished by a newspaper article alleging he'd evaded his taxes. 由于报上一篇文章声称他曾逃税，他的名誉受到损害。
• This our Peeress declined as unnecessary, alleging that her cousin Thornhill's recommendation would be sufficient. 那位贵人不肯，还说不必，只要有她老表唐希尔保荐就够了。