Monday 21 July 2003 Johannesburg's Nelson Mandela Bridge  | The former president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, has opened a new bridge in Johannesburg intended to revive the centre of the city. Mr Mandela, who's celebrating his eighty-fifth birthday, said he was humbled that the bridge had been named after him. This report from Barnaby Phillips. |
 Listen to the story The Nelson Mandela Bridge is a striking structure. Pylons at each end reach for the sky, massive cables keep it stable. But its real significance is that its construction marks yet another attempt to revive Johannesburg's city centre. From a distance, downtown Johannesburg looks impressive, a collection of skyscrapers and neon lights. The reality is much more depressing. Over the past fifteen years, big business has fled to the northern suburbs. Many of the skyscrapers are abandoned, leaving squatters, crime and urban decay. Now, the city authorities argue that they have brought crime under control with a network of close-circuit TV cameras. Business occupancy rates are rising and a huge investment has been made in the Newtown area, intended as a vibrant cultural centre and home to the famous Market Theatre. The Nelson Mandela Bridge connects Newtown with the north. In effect, it enables rich, predominantly white South Africans to enjoy a quick and safe drive into the city centre. The bridge may succeed in bringing South Africans of all races closer, something Nelson Mandela has tried to do throughout his long life. Listen to the words structure something that has been built reach for the sky point upwards towards the sky marks if an event marks something else, it happens at the same time in order to draw attention to it revive improve, bring new life to neon lights brightly coloured lights used in signs urban decay buildings and other town features that haven’t been looked after and now look in bad condition they have brought crime under control they have improved the crime problem business occupancy rates the number of businesses choosing to be located in that place vibrant exciting, full of life predominantly mainly  Read more about this story | |  | | | SEARCH IN LEARNING ENGLISH | | | |
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