VOA慢速英语--南非总统雅各布·祖马辞职

 

South African President Jacob Zuma has resigned, in his words, “with immediate¹ effect.”

He made the announcement in a 30-minute speech on national television late Wednesday.

The 75-year-old Zuma had been under strong pressure from his ruling African National Congress, or ANC, to leave office before the end of his term.

Zuma said he would resign although he disagreed with the instructions of the ANC to leave office immediately. In his speech, he said the party should observe the constitution in its efforts to remove him.

The party was set to hold a “no confidence” vote on Thursday to remove him from office.

Zuma has faced eight no confidence votes and survived each one.

However, years of corruption² accusations³ had left the South African leader with fewer and fewer allies⁴.

The ANC also has seen its support drop as the accusations of corruption continued.

Earlier Wednesday, Zuma gave an interview on South Africa’s state broadcaster SABC. In it, he said party leaders had not given him a clear reason for why he should resign.

Zuma’s earlier position had been that he wanted to remain in office for several additional months.

After the announcement, the ANC expressed gratitude⁵ for Zuma’s “loyal service.” The party is calling on its members to support Deputy⁶ President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Reports say Ramaphosa is expected to be elected in a parliamentary vote and sworn in soon.

Ramaphosa replaced Zuma as president of the ANC in December.

I’m Jonathan Evans.

Words in This Story

confidence - n. the feeling of being certain that something will happen or that something is true

gratitude - n. a feeling of appreciation or thanks

1 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

2 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。

3 accusations   

n.指责( accusation的名词复数 )；指控；控告；（被告发、控告的）罪名

参考例句：

• There were accusations of plagiarism. 曾有过关于剽窃的指控。
• He remained unruffled by their accusations. 对于他们的指控他处之泰然。

4 allies   

联盟国，同盟者； 同盟国，同盟者( ally的名词复数 )； 支持者； 盟军

参考例句：

• The allies would fear that they were pawns in a superpower condominium. 这个联盟担心他们会成为超级大国共管的牺牲品。
• A number of the United States' allies had urged him not to take a hasty decision. 美国的一些盟友已力劝他不要急于作决定。

5 gratitude   

adj.感激，感谢

参考例句：

• I have expressed the depth of my gratitude to him.我向他表示了深切的谢意。
• She could not help her tears of gratitude rolling down her face.她感激的泪珠禁不住沿着面颊流了下来。

6 deputy   

n.代理人，代表，副职；adj.代理的，副的

参考例句：

• John will act as a deputy for me during my absence.我离开期间，约翰将代理我的职务。
• She is the deputy headmistress of the school.她是那所学校的代理校长。