December 31, 2025

New Year's Eves and New Beginnings at V&A Waterfront

15 minutes

Fluent Fiction - Afrikaans: New Year's Eves and New Beginnings at V&A Waterfront
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/af/episode/2025-12-31-08-38-20-af

Story Transcript:

Af: Die son sak stadig oor die V&A Waterfront in Kaapstad.
En: The sun sets slowly over the V&A Waterfront in Kaapstad.

Af: 'n Skare van mense beweeg tussen die winkels en restaurante, almal opgewonde vir die Nuwejaar.
En: A crowd of people moves among the shops and restaurants, all excited for the New Year.

Af: Die lug was warm en die klanke van straatmusikante vul die atmosfeer.
En: The air was warm, and the sounds of street musicians filled the atmosphere.

Af: Dit was `n perfekte somersaand.
En: It was a perfect summer evening.

Af: Tussen die menigte staan Gert, Annelie, en Stefan.
En: Among the crowd stand Gert, Annelie, and Stefan.

Af: Vriende sedert skooldae, het hulle besluit om die nuwe begin saam te vier.
En: Friends since school days, they decided to celebrate the new beginning together.

Af: Annelie spat van vreugde.
En: Annelie is bursting with joy.

Af: Haar droomwerk is net 'n paar weke oud.
En: Her dream job is only a few weeks old.

Af: "Ek kan nie wag om aan julle twee oor my eerste projek te vertel nie!
En: "I can't wait to tell the two of you about my first project!"

Af: " sê sy, haar oë blink van entoesiasme.
En: she says, her eyes shining with enthusiasm.

Af: Stefan glimlag.
En: Stefan smiles.

Af: Hy het groot nuus wat hy binnekort wil deel.
En: He has big news he wants to share soon.

Af: "Ons moet binnekort weer bymekaar kom.
En: "We must get together again soon.

Af: Ek wil iets spesiaals vra," sê hy met 'n geheimsinnige vonkel in sy oog.
En: I want to ask something special," he says with a mysterious sparkle in his eye.

Af: Gert staan stil, introspektief.
En: Gert stands still, introspective.

Af: Terwyl hulle gesels oor suksesse en hoop, voel hy 'n knou aan sy selfbeeld.
En: While they chat about successes and hopes, he feels a blow to his self-esteem.

Af: Hy het al lank wroeg oor sy werk.
En: He has been brooding over his job for some time.

Af: Sy vriende se vooruitgang het sy eie onsekerhede snaaks genoeg na vore gebring.
En: His friends' progress has brought his own insecurities oddly to the surface.

Af: "Dit voel asof ek op 'n dooie punt is," dink hy, sy oë op die waters van die hawe.
En: "It feels like I'm at a dead end," he thinks, his eyes on the waters of the harbor.

Af: Uiteindelik neem hy 'n diep asem.
En: Finally, he takes a deep breath.

Af: "Ek moet met julle praat," sê Gert.
En: "I need to talk to you," says Gert.

Af: Hy kyk na Annelie en Stefan, sy stem vol aarseling.
En: He looks at Annelie and Stefan, his voice full of hesitation.

Af: Hulle stop hul gesprekke en draai na hom.
En: They stop their conversations and turn to him.

Af: "Ek wonder net.
En: "I'm just wondering...

Af: ek weet nie wat ek volgende moet doen nie," bieg hy.
En: I don't know what to do next," he confesses.

Af: "Ek voel vasgevang.
En: "I feel trapped."

Af: "Annelie sit haar hand op sy skouer.
En: Annelie puts her hand on his shoulder.

Af: "Jy is nie alleen nie, Gert.
En: "You're not alone, Gert.

Af: Onthou jy ons eerste jaar op universiteit?
En: Remember our first year at university?

Af: Jy was die een wat ons deur die eksamens getrek het," glimlag sy vol vertroue.
En: You were the one who got us through the exams," she smiles confidently.

Af: Stefan voeg by, sy stem opbeurend, "Jy is altyd die een wat ons inspireer, Gert.
En: Stefan adds, his voice encouraging, "You're always the one who inspires us, Gert.

Af: Hierdie gevoel sal verbygaan.
En: This feeling will pass.

Af: Jy moet net die eerste stap neem.
En: You just need to take the first step."

Af: "Net toe lui 'n klok die naderende middernag aan.
En: Just then a bell rings, signaling the approaching midnight.

Af: Die lug begin met kleure binne 'n slag van vuurwerke.
En: The sky starts to light up with colors with the burst of fireworks.

Af: Die wêreld rondom hulle breek uit in gejuig en 'n nuwe energie vul die nag.
En: The world around them erupts in cheers, and a new energy fills the night.

Af: Gert lig sy glas met 'n hernieude vasberadenheid.
En: Gert raises his glass with renewed determination.

Af: "Op nuwe beginne," sê hy, sy stem meer selfversekerd.
En: "To new beginnings," he says, his voice more confident.

Af: "Dankie dat julle hier is.
En: "Thank you for being here."

Af: "Annelie en Stefan skink hul glase.
En: Annelie and Stefan clink their glasses.

Af: "Op jou toekoms, Gert," sê hulle gelyktydig, glimlaggend.
En: "To your future, Gert," they say simultaneously, smiling.

Af: En so, met die geknal van vuurwerke bo die hawe, voel Gert 'n nuwe gevoel van hoop.
En: And so, with the crackle of fireworks above the harbor, Gert feels a new sense of hope.

Af: Daarom gee die Nuwejaar vir hom die moed om te verander, bewus van sy vriende se onvoorwaardelike ondersteuning.
En: Thus, the New Year gives him the courage to change, aware of his friends' unconditional support.

Af: Saam stap hulle die onbekende in, elkeen met hul eie drome en doelwitte, maar die bande van vriendskap hou hulle styf verbind.
En: Together they step into the unknown, each with their own dreams and goals, but the bonds of friendship keep them tightly connected.

Vocabulary Words: