December 26, 2024

A New Dawn for Jacobus: Turning Recognition into Opportunity

16 minutes

Fluent Fiction - Afrikaans: A New Dawn for Jacobus: Turning Recognition into Opportunity
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/af/episode/2024-12-26-08-38-19-af

Story Transcript:

Af: Die son het helder oorhoofs geskyn en die kantoorgebou glinster in die somerson.
En: The sun shone brightly overhead, and the office building glittered in the summer sun.

Af: Binne was daar 'n atmosfeer van opgewondenheid.
En: Inside, there was an atmosphere of excitement.

Af: Die maand Desember bring altyd erkenning en 'n bietjie rus na 'n besige jaar.
En: The month of December always brings recognition and a bit of rest after a busy year.

Af: Die kantoor was vrolik versier met klein liggies en rooi en groen ornamente, herinneringe aan die feesgety wat op hande was.
En: The office was cheerfully decorated with small lights and red and green ornaments, reminders of the festive season at hand.

Af: Vandag was die dag van prestasie-evaluasies en bonusse.
En: Today was the day of performance evaluations and bonuses.

Af: Jacobus het aan sy lessenaar gesit, sy gedagtes swaar met verwagting.
En: Jacobus sat at his desk, his thoughts heavy with expectation.

Af: Hy was 'n ywerige werker, altyd bereid om te help en take bo sy roep te hanteer.
En: He was a diligent worker, always willing to help and handle tasks beyond his duty.

Af: Tog het dit dikwels gevoel of sy pogings misgekyk word.
En: Yet it often felt like his efforts were overlooked.

Af: Hy wou graag hierdie keer erkenning kry, veral aangesien hy sy gesin verder wou ondersteun.
En: He dearly wished to receive recognition this time, especially since he wanted to further support his family.

Af: Annelie, sy goeie vriendin en kollega, het aan die oorkant van die kantoor gelag en gesels met ander werknemers.
En: Annelie, his good friend and colleague, was laughing and chatting with other employees across the office.

Af: Sy was altyd ambisieus en het 'n goeie verhouding met die bestuur gebou.
En: She was always ambitious and had built a good relationship with the management.

Af: Jacobus merk dit op.
En: Jacobus noticed this.

Af: 'Sy is seker die gunsteling vir die bonus,' dink hy.
En: ‘She’s surely the favorite for the bonus,’ he thought.

Af: Dit was hom moeilik om nie 'n bietjie jaloers te voel nie.
En: It was difficult for him not to feel a bit jealous.

Af: Teen middagete het almal in die vergaderkamer bymekaargekom.
En: By lunchtime, everyone gathered in the meeting room.

Af: Die lug was gespanne met afwagting soos Pieter, die regverdige maar uitdagende bestuurder, uit sy kantoor gestap het.
En: The air was tense with anticipation as Pieter, the fair but challenging manager, stepped out of his office.

Af: Hy was bekend daarvoor dat hy nie nonsies duld nie, maar hy was ook eerlik en reguit.
En: He was known for not tolerating nonsense, but he was also honest and straightforward.

Af: "Pieters," begin hy, "vandag erken ons harde werk en toewyding.
En: "Pieters," he began, "today we recognize hard work and dedication.

Af: Die bonus gaan aan die persoon wat nie net teikens getref het nie, maar ook inisiatief getoon het en uitsonderlike leierskap gewys het.
En: The bonus goes to the person who not only hit targets but also showed initiative and exceptional leadership."

Af: " Jacobus het sy asem opgehou, hoopvol, maar gretig om niks te verwag nie en juis sy kalmte te behou.
En: Jacobus held his breath, hopeful, but eager to expect nothing and maintain his composure.

Af: "Die bonus gaan aan Annelie," kondig Pieter aan, en 'n geruis van handeklap vul die kamer.
En: "The bonus goes to Annelie," Pieter announced, and a murmur of applause filled the room.

Af: Jacobus glimlag, maar hy voel daardie knou van teleurstelling.
En: Jacobus smiled, but he felt that pang of disappointment.

Af: Hy het regtig gehoop vir hierdie keer.
En: He had truly hoped for this time.

Af: Na die vergadering het Pieter na hom aangeloop.
En: After the meeting, Pieter walked towards him.

Af: "Jacobus," sê hy, "ek wil hê jy moet weet dat ons jou harde werk raaksien.
En: "Jacobus," he said, "I want you to know that we notice your hard work.

Af: Jou aandag aan detail en toewyding het nie ongesiens verbygegaan nie.
En: Your attention to detail and dedication have not gone unseen."

Af: "Jacobus kyk op, effens verbaas, maar pleks van spektakel, hed Pieter voort.
En: Jacobus looked up, slightly surprised, but instead of a spectacle, Pieter continued.

Af: "Ek het 'n nuwe projek waarop ek wil hê jy moet leiding neem.
En: "I have a new project on which I want you to take the lead.

Af: Dit sal van groot belang wees vir ons komende jaar.
En: It will be of great importance for our upcoming year.

Af: Ek vertrou dat jy die perfekte persoon is vir die taak.
En: I trust that you are the perfect person for the task."

Af: "Jacobus kon sy oë nie glo nie.
En: Jacobus could not believe his ears.

Af: 'n Wonderlike geleentheid het glashelder voor hom gestaan.
En: A wonderful opportunity stood clearly before him.

Af: "Dankie," sê hy eenvoudig, maar sy stem dra die gewig van sy waardering.
En: "Thank you," he said simply, but his voice carried the weight of his appreciation.

Af: Terwyl die ander kollegas later hul uitstap beplan vir die Dag van Welwillendheid, dink Jacobus aan die jaar wat voorlê.
En: While the other colleagues later planned their outings for the Day of Benevolence, Jacobus thought about the year ahead.

Af: Hy het nie die bonus ontvang nie, maar hy het iets van waardevolle belang gekry - vertroue in sy vermoëns en 'n geleentheid om sy potensiaal te bewys.
En: He had not received the bonus, but he had gained something of valuable importance - confidence in his abilities and an opportunity to prove his potential.

Af: Met nuwe hoop in sy hart stap Jacobus by die kantoordeur uit, die somerson skyn warm op sy gesig.
En: With new hope in his heart, Jacobus stepped out of the office door, the summer sun shining warmly on his face.

Af: Die toekoms lyk skielik helder en hoopvol.
En: The future suddenly seemed bright and hopeful.

Af: Hy was klaar om elke uitdaging aan te pak.
En: He was ready to tackle every challenge.

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