Fluent Fiction - Afrikaans: Harvesting Forgiveness: A Reunion in Stellenbosch
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/af/episode/2025-11-19-08-38-20-af

Story Transcript:

Af: Die oggendson skitter oor die heuwels van Stellenbosch, waar die wingerde hul arms uitstrek na die horison.
En: The morning sun glitters over the hills of Stellenbosch, where the vineyards stretch their arms toward the horizon.

Af: 'n Sagte briesie dra die geur van bloeisels en aarde deur die lug, terwyl die gelag van kinders en stemme van lank laas gesiene familielede die atmosfeer vul.
En: A gentle breeze carries the scent of blossoms and earth through the air, while the laughter of children and the voices of long-unseen family members fill the atmosphere.

Af: Dit is lente, en die wêreld voel vol nuwe lewe.
En: It is spring, and the world feels full of new life.

Af: Jannie arriveer met sy sak op die skouer en 'n kloppende hart vol verwagting en onsekerheid.
En: Jannie arrives with his bag on his shoulder and a pounding heart full of expectation and uncertainty.

Af: Die laaste keer dat hy die laaste keer by 'n familiebyeenkoms was, was dinge tussen hom en sy broer Pieter gespanne.
En: The last time he was at a family gathering, things between him and his brother Pieter were tense.

Af: Maar vandag, hier tussen die wingerde, hoop Jannie op iets anders.
En: But today, here among the vineyards, Jannie hopes for something different.

Af: Annelie, sy jonger niggie, verwelkom hom met 'n warm drukkie.
En: Annelie, his younger cousin, welcomes him with a warm hug.

Af: "Jannie!
En: "Jannie!

Af: Dis goed om jou hier te hê.
En: It's good to have you here.

Af: Kom, almal is reg om jou te sien.
En: Come, everyone is ready to see you."

Af: "Hulle stap deur die verskeidenheid van familielede, sommige met glase wyn in die hand, geselsend en laggend.
En: They walk through the variety of family members, some with glasses of wine in hand, chatting and laughing.

Af: Maar Jannie se gedagtes is by Pieter.
En: But Jannie's thoughts are with Pieter.

Af: Hy sien sy broer aan die ander kant van die tuin, sy oë op die wingerde gerig.
En: He sees his brother on the other side of the garden, his eyes fixed on the vineyards.

Af: Dit is nou of nooit, dink Jannie.
En: It's now or never, Jannie thinks.

Af: Hy stap stadiger, voel die spanning in die lug tussen hulle.
En: He walks slower, feeling the tension in the air between them.

Af: "Pieter," sê hy effens huiwerig.
En: "Pieter," he says, somewhat hesitantly.

Af: Pieter draai om, sy gesig neutraal maar sy oë peinsend.
En: Pieter turns around, his face neutral but his eyes contemplative.

Af: "Jannie.
En: "Jannie."

Af: "Daar is 'n oomblik van stilstand, die soort stilte wat jare van onbeantwoorde vrae insluit.
En: There is a moment of stillness, the kind of silence that includes years of unanswered questions.

Af: "Ek.
En: "I...

Af: ek wou net met jou praat.
En: I just wanted to talk to you.

Af: Dit het te lank geneem," begin Jannie.
En: It's taken too long," Jannie begins.

Af: Hy voel die gewig van die verlede soos 'n swaar reënjas.
En: He feels the weight of the past like a heavy raincoat.

Af: Pieter kyk na hom, en dan na die son wat agter die heuwels begin sak, die lug kleurend in skakerings van oranje en pienk.
En: Pieter looks at him, and then at the sun setting behind the hills, coloring the sky in shades of orange and pink.

Af: "Kom ons loop," stel...