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Johan's Farewell: Strumming New Dreams in Jo'burg
Fluent Fiction - Afrikaans: Johan's Farewell: Strumming New Dreams in Jo'burg
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/af/episode/2025-10-04-22-34-02-af
Story Transcript:
Af: Die lente se son skyn helder oor Greenmarket Square in Kaapstad.
En: The spring sun shines brightly over Greenmarket Square in Kaapstad.
Af: Die lug is vol gelag en geselsies van mense wat na die kleurryke stalletjies kyk.
En: The air is filled with laughter and conversations from people looking at the colorful stalls.
Af: Kosgeure sweef oral om jou — kerrie, pannekoek, en vars gebakte brood.
En: Aromas of food float all around you — curry, pancakes, and freshly baked bread.
Af: Johan, die straatmusikant, staan op sy gewone plek.
En: Johan, the street musician, stands in his usual spot.
Af: Sy kitaar blink in die son, en hy groet vriendelik met ’n glimlag.
En: His guitar glistens in the sun, and he greets warmly with a smile.
Af: Pieter en Elize, sy getroue vriende, luister gereeld na sy musiek.
En: Pieter and Elize, his loyal friends, regularly listen to his music.
Af: Pieter hou van die blues-note wat Johan so goed speel.
En: Pieter loves the blues notes that Johan plays so well.
Af: Elize draai altyd 'n kort ronde dansie wanneer sy ’n liedjie hoor wat sy herken.
En: Elize always does a little dance when she hears a song she recognizes.
Af: "Wat is vandag se lied, Johan?
En: "What is today's song, Johan?"
Af: " vra Elize terwyl sy nader stap.
En: Elize asks as she steps closer.
Af: Johan voel ’n knoop in sy maag.
En: Johan feels a knot in his stomach.
Af: Hy het besluit om na Johannesburg te trek om sy musiekloopbaan te bevorder, maar hy het nog vir niemand vertel nie.
En: He has decided to move to Johannesburg to advance his music career, but he hasn't told anyone yet.
Af: Vandag, dink hy, sal hy moet besluit.
En: Today, he thinks, he will have to decide.
Af: Bly hy stil, of vertel hy sy mense?
En: Does he keep quiet, or does he tell his people?
Af: Hy kyk na die bekende gesigte in die skare — mense wat byna soos familie geword het.
En: He looks at the familiar faces in the crowd — people who have almost become like family.
Af: Hy begin speel, die note vloei oor die plein.
En: He begins to play, the notes flowing across the square.
Af: Almal word stil.
En: Everyone falls silent.
Af: Die musiek trek hulle in.
En: The music draws them in.
Af: Dit is 'n lied oor afskeid, oor verandering.
En: It is a song about farewell, about change.
Af: Pieter voel iets anders aan die lied en kyk vraend na Johan.
En: Pieter senses something different in the song and looks questioningly at Johan.
Af: Halverwege die liedjie, blikkeraf en met 'n tril in sy stem, hou Johan op speel.
En: Midway through the song, visibly nervous and with a quiver in his voice, Johan stops playing.
Af: “Ek het nuus,” sê hy, sy stem effens hees.
En: "I have news," he says, his voice slightly hoarse.
Af: “Ek gaan Kaapstad verlaat.
En: "I am leaving Kaapstad."
Af: ” 'n Stilte volg.
En: A silence follows.
Af: Dan ’n gesug van ongeloof, maar ook van verstaan.
En: Then a sigh of disbelief, but also understanding.
Af: “Ek gaan Johannesburg toe, om nuwe drome na te jaag,” verduidelik hy, sy oë glinster van emosie.
En: "I'm going to Johannesburg, to chase new dreams," he explains, his eyes glistening with emotion.
Af: Die skare drom nader.
En: The crowd gathers closer.
Af: Eli
Published on 2 months, 1 week ago