Fluent Fiction - Afrikaans: Uncovering Hidden Histories on Robben Island: A Journey of Truth
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.org/uncovering-hidden-histories-on-robben-island-a-journey-of-truth

Story Transcript:

Af: In die diep groen van die Kaapse Wynlande lê 'n ou koshuis skool tussen die wingerde.
En: In the deep green of the Cape Winelands lies an old boarding school among the vineyards.

Af: Pieter, 'n stil seun met 'n groot liefde vir geskiedenis, sit alleen in sy kamer.
En: Pieter, a quiet boy with a great love for history, sits alone in his room.

Af: Sy hande beweeg stadig oor 'n ou boek.
En: His hands move slowly over an old book.

Af: Sy vriendin, Annelie, stap vol energie in.
En: His friend, Annelie, walks in full of energy.

Af: "Pieter! Gert sê ons moet gou regmaak. Die bus vertrek oor 'n paar minute!"
En: "Pieter! Gert says we need to get ready quickly. The bus leaves in a few minutes!"

Af: Pieter maak die boek toe en staan op.
En: Pieter closes the book and stands up.

Af: Hulle is op pad na Robbeneiland, en Pieter voel 'n mengsel van opgewondenheid en senuweeagtigheid.
En: They are on their way to Robben Island, and Pieter feels a mix of excitement and nervousness.

Af: Gert, met sy skerp tong en skeptiese blik, wag reeds by die bus.
En: Gert, with his sharp tongue and skeptical look, is already waiting by the bus.

Af: "Kom ons kyk of die stories regtig waar is," spot hy.
En: "Let’s see if the stories are really true," he teases.

Af: Die busrit is lank en vol geselskap.
En: The bus ride is long and full of chatter.

Af: Annelie praat luidkeels oor die groot leiers wat op die eiland gevange gehou is.
En: Annelie talks loudly about the great leaders who were imprisoned on the island.

Af: "Ons kan soveel van hulle leer!" sê sy dromerig.
En: "We can learn so much from them!" she says dreamily.

Af: Gert brom iets van "heldeverhale" en rol sy oë.
En: Gert mutters something about "hero stories" and rolls his eyes.

Af: By Robbeneiland waai die koue winterwind deur hulle jasse.
En: At Robben Island, the cold winter wind blows through their jackets.

Af: 'n Toergids verwelkom die groep en begin die rondleiding.
En: A tour guide welcomes the group and begins the tour.

Af: Die gids vertel van die harde lewe van die gevangenes, die klein selle, en die streng reëls.
En: The guide talks about the hard life of the prisoners, the small cells, and the strict rules.

Af: Pieter se oë blink; hy wil elke detail weet.
En: Pieter’s eyes shine; he wants to know every detail.

Af: Maar die tyd is min.
En: But time is short.

Af: Die gids beveel almal om terug na die bus te beweeg.
En: The guide instructs everyone to return to the bus.

Af: Pieter kyk rond, sy geel handskoene vasgeklem om sy boek.
En: Pieter looks around, his yellow gloves clenched around his book.

Af: "Ek moet meer sien," fluister hy.
En: "I need to see more," he whispers.

Af: Annelie merk sy blik op.
En: Annelie notices his gaze.

Af: "Wat dink jy, Pieter?" vra sy.
En: "What are you thinking, Pieter?" she asks.

Af: Pieter knik.
En: Pieter nods.

Af: "Ek wil daardie ou huis agter die tralies sien. Net vir 'n oomblik."
En: "I want to see that old house behind the bars. Just for a moment."

Af: Annelie lag.
En: Annelie laughs.

Af: "Ek gaan saam jou. Dit kan wonderlik wees."
En: "I’m coming with you. It could be wonderful."

Af: Gert hoor hulle en trek sy wenkbrou op.
En: Gert hears them and raises an eyebrow.

Af: "Ek gaan om seker te maak julle kom nie in die moeilikheid nie," sê hy skertsend.
En: "I’m coming to make sure you don’t get into trouble," he says playfully.

Af: Die drie glip weg van die groep.
En: The three slip away from the group.

Af: Hulle stap vinnig deur die winderige strate van die eiland.
En: They walk quickly through the windy streets of the island.

Af: Hulle kom by 'n ou, vervalle gebou.
En: They arrive at an old, dilapidated building.

Af: Binne ruik dit klam en verlate, maar iets trek Pieter aan.
En: Inside, it smells damp and abandoned, but something draws Pieter in.

Af: Onder 'n los klip vind hy 'n ou, deurmekaar boek.
En: Under a loose stone, he finds an old, cluttered book.

Af: 'n Dagboek.
En: A diary.

Af: Pieter begin lees.
En: Pieter begins to read.

Af: Dit is die storie van 'n gevangene.
En: It is the story of a prisoner.

Af: "My naam is Johannes," begin hy.
En: "My name is Johannes," it begins.

Af: Hy beskryf die lang, koue nagte, die hoop en wanhoop van elke dag.
En: He describes the long, cold nights, the hope and despair of each day.

Af: Annelie se hand verslap om Pieter se arm.
En: Annelie’s hand loosens around Pieter’s arm.

Af: "Dis ongeloflik," fluister sy.
En: "This is incredible," she whispers.

Af: Gert, sy skeptiese glimlag weg, gesê: "Dit is die waarheid wat hulle nie vertel het nie."
En: Gert, his skeptical smile gone, says, "This is the truth they didn’t tell us."

Af: Skielik hoor hulle voetstappe.
En: Suddenly, they hear footsteps.

Af: Dit is tyd om terug te keer na die groep.
En: It is time to return to the group.

Af: Hulle sit die dagboek versigtig terug en glip ongesiens uit die gebou.
En: They carefully put the diary back and slip unnoticed out of the building.

Af: By die bus, voel hulle 'n nuwe band.
En: Back at the bus, they feel a new bond.

Af: Hierdie geheim is hul eie skat.
En: This secret is their own treasure.

Af: Terug by die skool, staan die drie voor die klas.
En: Back at school, the three stand in front of the class.

Af: Pieter praat duidelik en selfversekerd oor wat hulle geleer het.
En: Pieter speaks clearly and confidently about what they have learned.

Af: Annelie vertel hoe sy inspirasie gevind het in die woorde van die gevangenes.
En: Annelie talks about how she found inspiration in the prisoners' words.

Af: Gert sit sy gewone sarkasme opsy.
En: Gert sets aside his usual sarcasm.

Af: "Dit is belangrik om hierdie stories te ken," sê hy ernstig.
En: "It is important to know these stories," he says seriously.

Af: Die klas luister in stilte.
En: The class listens in silence.

Af: Hulle het nie net 'n les in geskiedenis gekry nie, maar ook die krag van ware verhale gesien.
En: They have not just received a lesson in history, but also seen the power of true stories.

Af: Pieter stap nader aan Annelie en Gert.
En: Pieter moves closer to Annelie and Gert.

Af: Hulle het iets kosbaars gevind—die waarheid en die moed om dit te deel.
En: They have found something precious—the truth and the courage to share it.


Vocabulary Words:

• boarding school: koshuis skool
• vineyards: wingerde
• skeptical: skeptiese
• chatter: geselskap
• imprisoned: gevange gehou
• hero stories: heldeverhale
• strict rules: streng reëls
• clenched: vasgeklem
• nervousness: senuweeagtigheid
• teases: spot
• diary: dagboek
• dilapidated: vervalle
• abandoned: verlate
• loosen: verslap
• despair: wanhoop
• cluttered: deurmekaar
• intrigued: intrigerend
• glimpse: kensinnigheid
• solemn: plegtig
• treasure: skat
• self-assured: selfversekerd
• silence: stilte
• precious: kosbaar
• inspiration: inspirasie
• courage: moed
• narrative: verhaal
• determine: bepaal
• confirm: bevestig
• wandering: ronddwaal
• sacred: heilig