December 04, 2024

Revisiting Robbeneiland: A Journey to Uncover Past Secrets

15 minutes

Fluent Fiction - Afrikaans: Revisiting Robbeneiland: A Journey to Uncover Past Secrets
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/af/episode/2024-12-04-23-34-02-af

Story Transcript:

Af: Die son bak warm oor Robbeneiland.
En: The sun shines warmly over Robbeneiland.

Af: Die helder blou see blink in die middaglig.
En: The bright blue sea glistens in the afternoon light.

Af: Marelise staan met toegeknypte oë en kyk na die ou tronkgebou.
En: Marelise stands with squinted eyes and looks at the old prison building.

Af: Dit lyk so stil, maar sy weet dis vol verhale.
En: It seems so still, but she knows it's full of stories.

Af: "Johan," roep sy oor haar skouer.
En: "Johan," she calls over her shoulder.

Af: Hy antwoord nie dadelik nie, sy bly staan en wag.
En: He doesn't answer immediately, but she stands and waits.

Af: Sy hoor nie sy voetstappe op die klippe nie, maar sy weet hy kom nader.
En: She doesn't hear his footsteps on the stones, but she knows he's coming closer.

Af: Johan kom by haar aan, sy oë verskerm teen die son.
En: Johan reaches her, his eyes shielded against the sun.

Af: "Marelise, hoekom is ons hier?
En: "Marelise, why are we here?"

Af: " Johan se stem is half geamuseerd, half gefrustreerd.
En: Johan's voice is half amused, half frustrated.

Af: "Dis so lank gelede, hoekom wil jy nou weer hieraan krap?
En: "It's been so long, why do you want to dig this up again?"

Af: "Sy kyk hom reguit in die oë.
En: She looks him straight in the eyes.

Af: "Ek het 'n brief gevind, Johan.
En: "I found a letter, Johan.

Af: Pa se brief.
En: Dad's letter.

Af: Dit was aan ons geskryf, maar ons het dit nooit gesien nie.
En: It was written to us, but we never saw it."

Af: "Sy oorhandig 'n vaal, verslete koevert aan hom.
En: She hands him a faded, worn envelope.

Af: Johan vat die brief met huiwering.
En: Johan takes the letter with hesitation.

Af: Sy vingers bewe 'n bietjie, maar hy maak dit oop.
En: His fingers tremble a bit, but he opens it.

Af: Sy oë gly oor die geskrewe woorde.
En: His eyes scan the written words.

Af: Marelise sien 'n mengsel van emosies op sy gesig flits.
En: Marelise sees a mixture of emotions flash across his face.

Af: "Ek wil weet wat regtig hier gebeur het," sê Marelise sag.
En: "I want to know what really happened here," Marelise says softly.

Af: "Pa se tyd hier het 'n impak op ons almal gehad.
En: "Dad's time here had an impact on all of us.

Af: Ek moet verstaan om aan te gaan.
En: I need to understand to move on."

Af: "Johan sug diep en vou die brief weer toe.
En: Johan sighs deeply and folds the letter again.

Af: "Ek het lankal probeer vergeet.
En: "I've tried to forget for a long time.

Af: Maar miskien is dit tyd dat ons dit in die oë kyk.
En: But maybe it's time we face it."

Af: "Hulle volg die paadjie wat na die gevangenis lei.
En: They follow the path that leads to the prison.

Af: Die gidstoer lei hulle deur die koue sale en seldeure.
En: The guided tour leads them through the cold halls and cell doors.

Af: Johan loop diep in sy eie gedagtes, terwyl Marelise met elke stap meer vasberade raak.
En: Johan walks deep in his own thoughts, while Marelise becomes more determined with each step.

Af: By een van die selle breek Johan onverwags.
En: At one of the cells, Johan breaks down unexpectedly.

Af: Sy skouers ruk met stil gehuil.
En: His shoulders shake with silent tears.

Af: Marelise staan nader en slaan haar arm om hom.
En: Marelise steps closer and puts her arm around him.

Af: "Ek onthou hom hier," sê Johan.
En: "I remember him here," says Johan.

Af: "Ek was net 'n kind, maar ek het die hartseer gesien.
En: "I was just a child, but I saw the sadness."

Af: "Hulle sit in die skadu, die gids gee hulle ruimte.
En: They sit in the shade, the guide gives them space.

Af: Marelise druk Johan saggies.
En: Marelise gently squeezes Johan.

Af: "Ons was kinders.
En: "We were children.

Af: Dit was nie vir ons maklik nie.
En: It wasn't easy for us.

Af: Maar ons het oorleef.
En: But we survived.

Af: Net soos Pa.
En: Just like Dad."

Af: "Johan vee oor sy gesig en kyk na sy suster.
En: Johan wipes his face and looks at his sister.

Af: Hy lyk bietjie kalmer.
En: He seems a bit calmer.

Af: "Ek is bly jy het my gebring.
En: "I'm glad you brought me.

Af: Dis tyd dat ons begin heel.
En: It's time we start healing."

Af: "Die toer eindig en hulle stap uit.
En: The tour ends and they step out.

Af: Die see voor hulle is kalm en eindeloos.
En: The sea before them is calm and endless.

Af: Hulle staan daar lank, saam in stilte.
En: They stand there for a long time, together in silence.

Af: "Ons sal mekaar ondersteun," sê Johan beslis.
En: "We'll support each other," Johan says firmly.

Af: "Dis wat Pa sou wou hê.
En: "That's what Dad would have wanted."

Af: ""Seker ja," glimlag Marelise.
En: "Definitely, yes," Marelise smiles.

Af: Vir die eerste keer voel dit of hul familieverlede 'n bietjie meer sin maak.
En: For the first time, it feels as if their family past makes a little more sense.

Af: Hulle het nie al die antwoorde nie, maar hulle het mekaar.
En: They don't have all the answers, but they have each other.

Af: Hulle draai stadig om en stap terug na die veerboot.
En: They slowly turn and walk back to the ferry.

Af: Robbeneiland bly agter, maar die herinneringe en verhoudings wat hier versterk is, sal hulle altyd bybly.
En: Robbeneiland remains behind, but the memories and relationships strengthened here will always stay with them.

Af: Marelise en Johan weet nou dat die pad vorentoe makliker is as dit saam gestap word.
En: Marelise and Johan now know that the road ahead is easier when walked together.

Vocabulary Words: