August 07, 2025

From Underdog to Leader: Gabriël's Triumph at Grey Kollege

14 minutes

Fluent Fiction - Afrikaans: From Underdog to Leader: Gabriël's Triumph at Grey Kollege
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/af/episode/2025-08-07-22-34-02-af

Story Transcript:

Af: Die koue Bloemfonteinse wind waai skerp deur die ou gange van Grey Kollege.
En: The cold Bloemfontein wind cuts sharply through the old halls of Grey Kollege.

Af: Dit is Vrouedag, 'n spesiale vakansiedag, maar die gons in die skool is oor iets anders.
En: It's Vrouedag, a special holiday, but the buzz at the school is about something else.

Af: Almal praat oor die leierskapverkiesing wat besig is om die studente te verdeel.
En: Everyone is talking about the leadership election that is dividing the students.

Af: Die historiese saal lyk vol angstigheid, elke student op soek na 'n sitplek om die debat te aanskou.
En: The historic hall feels full of anxiety, every student searching for a seat to watch the debate.

Af: Gabriël staan agter die verhoog, sy hande effens sweetig, maar sy gedagtes helder.
En: Gabriël stands behind the stage, his hands slightly sweaty but his thoughts clear.

Af: Gabriël, 'n seun van min woorde, word dikwels oor die hoof gesien.
En: Gabriël, a boy of few words, is often overlooked.

Af: Hy probeer altyd regverdig wees, maar het nou 'n doel: om leier te word en saam met sy klasmaats 'n verskil te maak.
En: He always tries to be fair but now has a purpose: to become a leader and make a difference with his classmates.

Af: Hy weet hy het 'n reuse taak voor hom, met Hendrik as sy teenstander.
En: He knows he has a huge task ahead of him, with Hendrik as his opponent.

Af: Hendrik, charismaties en gewild, het 'n sterk steunbasis, veral van 'n invloedryke student soos Lize.
En: Hendrik, charismatic and popular, has a strong support base, especially from an influential student like Lize.

Af: Die debat begin.
En: The debate begins.

Af: Hendrik is eerste, praat met vertroue oor groot, maar vae beloftes.
En: Hendrik is first, speaking confidently about big but vague promises.

Af: Die gehoor juig, maar Gabriël se fokus is op wat hy skryf op sy notas.
En: The audience cheers, but Gabriël's focus is on what he is writing in his notes.

Af: Sy beurt kom.
En: His turn comes.

Af: Hy stap vorentoe, voel die yskoue van die mikrofoon, maar sy stem helder.
En: He steps forward, feels the cold of the microphone, but his voice is clear.

Af: "Mede-studente," begin hy.
En: "Fellow students," he begins.

Af: Hy praat oor sake wat saak maak: meer hulpbronne vir klubs, beter biblioteekfasiliteite, die belangrikheid van inklusiwiteit.
En: He talks about matters that matter: more resources for clubs, better library facilities, the importance of inclusivity.

Af: Sy stem is vasberade, vol eerlikheid.
En: His voice is determined, full of honesty.

Af: Hy wys op Hendrik se leë beloftes, maar keer vinnig terug na sy visie.
En: He points out Hendrik's empty promises but quickly returns to his vision.

Af: Die saal is stil.
En: The hall is silent.

Af: Gabriël voel elke oog op hom.
En: Gabriël feels every eye on him.

Af: Hy probeer nie populêr wees nie; hy probeer opreg wees.
En: He's not trying to be popular; he's trying to be sincere.

Af: Wanneer hy klaar is, hang daar 'n oomblik van stilte, dan bars die saal los in applous.
En: When he's done, there's a moment of silence, then the hall bursts into applause.

Af: Selfs Lize, wat agter gesit het, kyk bewonderend.
En: Even Lize, sitting at the back, looks on with admiration.

Af: Laatmiddag kom die uitslag.
En: Late afternoon, the results come in.

Af: Die studente jaag terug na die saal, die gons van afwagting voelbaar.
En: The students rush back to the hall, the buzz of anticipation palpable.

Af: Die hoof, met 'n formele stem, kondig die wenner aan: "Gabriël."
En: The principal, with a formal voice, announces the winner: "Gabriël."

Af: Hy kan dit skaars glo.
En: He can hardly believe it.

Af: 'n Noue oorwinning, maar 'n oorwinning steeds.
En: A narrow victory, but a victory nonetheless.

Af: Sy klasmaats kom hom gelukwens, en hy voel die vertroue in homself groei.
En: His classmates congratulate him, and he feels the confidence in himself grow.

Af: Hy leer daar en dan dat egtheid en ware voorstelle kragtiger is as blote gewildheid.
En: He learns then and there that authenticity and true proposals are more powerful than sheer popularity.

Af: Die son begin ondergaan oor die yskoue kampus, maar vir Gabriël is dit 'n nuwe begin.
En: The sun begins to set over the icy campus, but for Gabriël, it's a new beginning.

Af: Winter mag koud wees, maar in sy hart brand 'n nuwe vuur.
En: Winter may be cold, but in his heart, a new fire burns.

Af: Hy is gereed om leierskap ’n nuwe betekenis te gee.
En: He is ready to give leadership a new meaning.

Vocabulary Words: