September 07, 2025

Rekindling Bonds: A Family's New Beginning Under Tafelberg

16 minutes

Fluent Fiction - Afrikaans: Rekindling Bonds: A Family's New Beginning Under Tafelberg
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/af/episode/2025-09-07-22-34-01-af

Story Transcript:

Af: Die voëls sing 'n vrolike liedjie terwyl die son liggies oor die tafelberg skyn.
En: The birds sing a cheerful song as the sun gently shines over Tafelberg.

Af: In die hart van die pragtige Kirstenbosch Botaniese Tuin, het Pieter, Elmarie, en Johann 'n kombers ontrafel op 'n grasveld vol lenteblomme.
En: In the heart of the beautiful Kirstenbosch Botaniese Tuin, Pieter, Elmarie, and Johann unravel a blanket on a grassy field full of spring flowers.

Af: Die kleurvolle blomme wuif in die sagte briesie, 'n perfekte dag vir 'n braaipiekniek.
En: The colorful flowers wave in the gentle breeze, a perfect day for a bbq picnic.

Af: Pieter is vol hoop.
En: Pieter is full of hope.

Af: Dit is die eerste keer in jare dat hy en sy suster, Elmarie, weer bymekaar kom.
En: It's the first time in years that he and his sister, Elmarie, are together again.

Af: Hulle het lanklaas gesels, en hy wil alles regmaak.
En: They haven't spoken in a long time, and he wants to make everything right.

Af: Hy wil sy familie terugkry.
En: He wants his family back.

Af: Elmarie se seun Johann kyk egter skepties.
En: However, Elmarie's son Johann looks skeptical.

Af: Hy verstaan nie hoekom sy lang verlore oom skielik belangstel nie.
En: He doesn't understand why his long-lost uncle is suddenly interested.

Af: “Hiers bietjie koue hoender en slaai," sê Elmarie en glimlag saggies.
En: “Here's some cold chicken and salad,” says Elmarie, smiling softly.

Af: Haar oë is vriendelik, maar daar is iets seer agter haar glimlag.
En: Her eyes are kind, but there is something hurt behind her smile.

Af: Johann speel met sy vurk, sy oë op die grond vasgenael.
En: Johann plays with his fork, his eyes fixed on the ground.

Af: Die weer is wisselvallig, en donker wolke stapel op in die verte.
En: The weather is changeable, and dark clouds pile up in the distance.

Af: 'n Koel wind begin waai, en Pieter voel die atmosfeer verander.
En: A cool wind begins to blow, and Pieter feels the atmosphere change.

Af: Dis nou of nooit, dink hy.
En: It's now or never, he thinks.

Af: Hy moet probeer om die ys te breek.
En: He must try to break the ice.

Af: “Elmarie, onthou jy die dag toe ons die berg uitgeroep het?
En: “Elmarie, do you remember the day we hiked the mountain?

Af: Toe ons in die reen vasgesit het?” Pieter begin lag, en Elmarie kan nie help om mee te doen nie.
En: When we got caught in the rain?” Pieter starts to laugh, and Elmarie can't help but join in.

Af: “Ja, ek onthou,” sê sy laggend.
En: “Yes, I remember,” she says, laughing.

Af: “Ons was sopnat en het by Ma in die moeilikheid gekom!”
En: “We were soaked and got in trouble with Ma!”

Af: Johann kyk op, nuuskierig.
En: Johann looks up, curious.

Af: Daar is iets in sy ma se stem wat hy nie voorheen gehoor het nie.
En: There's something in his mother's voice that he hasn't heard before.

Af: Pieter vertel verder.
En: Pieter continues.

Af: Hy deel hoe dit gevoel het om haar te verloor, hoe hy elke dag gewens het dat hulle weer kan lag.
En: He shares how it felt to lose her, how he wished every day that they could laugh again.

Af: Sy stem breek effens, maar hy hou aan.
En: His voice breaks slightly, but he keeps going.

Af: Hy vertel van die groot leemte in sy lewe, hoe spyt hy is oor die verlore tyd.
En: He talks about the great void in his life, how sorry he is for the lost time.

Af: Dan gebeur die onverwags.
En: Then the unexpected happens.

Af: Elmarie se oë vul met trane.
En: Elmarie's eyes fill with tears.

Af: Sy sit haar hand op Pieter se arm, gevoel in haar oë wat sy lank weggebêre het.
En: She puts her hand on Pieter's arm, feeling in her eyes that she has kept hidden for a long time.

Af: “Ek het jou ook gemis, Pieter,” sê sy stil.
En: “I missed you too, Pieter,” she says quietly.

Af: Johann, wat altyd geslote was, begin verstaan.
En: Johann, who has always been reserved, begins to understand.

Af: Hy skuif nader aan Pieter.
En: He moves closer to Pieter.

Af: “Ek is bly dat julle weer praat,” mompel hy skaam.
En: “I'm glad you guys are talking again,” he mumbles shyly.

Af: Die lug breek oombliklik oop met die son tussen die wolke.
En: The sky breaks open instantly with the sun shining through the clouds.

Af: Dit voel soos 'n seëning.
En: It feels like a blessing.

Af: Die familie sit nou nader aan mekaar.
En: The family sits closer together now.

Af: Dis 'n nuwe begin.
En: It's a new beginning.

Af: Hulle lag weer, met 'n nuwe hoop en verbinding.
En: They laugh again, with new hope and connection.

Af: Dit is op hierdie dag, in die skadu van die majestueuse Tafelberg, dat die familie 'n belofte maak.
En: It is on this day, in the shadow of the majestic Tafelberg, that the family makes a promise.

Af: Hulle sal mekaar nooit weer verloor nie.
En: They will never lose each other again.

Af: Pieter voel dat hy sy plek in die familie teruggekry het.
En: Pieter feels that he has regained his place in the family.

Af: Elmarie is klaar met die verlede.
En: Elmarie is done with the past.

Af: Sy is gereed om haar broer weer in haar lewe toe te laat.
En: She is ready to let her brother back into her life.

Af: En Johann, met 'n sagte glimlag, sien dat verandering nie altyd sleg is nie.
En: And Johann, with a soft smile, sees that change isn't always bad.

Af: Met die son wat sy laaste strale oor die tuin stuur, pak hulle op, vol beloftes en nuwe dae wat voorlê.
En: As the sun sends its last rays over the garden, they pack up, full of promises and new days ahead.

Af: Die tuin is stil, maar die liefde weerklank hard.
En: The garden is quiet, but the love echoes loudly.

Vocabulary Words: