Die lente se son skyn helder oor Greenmarket Square in Kaapstad.

The spring sun shines brightly over Greenmarket Square in Kaapstad.

Die lug is vol gelag en geselsies van mense wat na die kleurryke stalletjies kyk.

The air is filled with laughter and conversations from people looking at the colorful stalls.

Kosgeure sweef oral om jou — kerrie, pannekoek, en vars gebakte brood.

Aromas of food float all around you — curry, pancakes, and freshly baked bread.

Johan, die straatmusikant, staan op sy gewone plek.

Johan, the street musician, stands in his usual spot.

Sy kitaar blink in die son, en hy groet vriendelik met ’n glimlag.

His guitar glistens in the sun, and he greets warmly with a smile.

Pieter en Elize, sy getroue vriende, luister gereeld na sy musiek.

Pieter and Elize, his loyal friends, regularly listen to his music.

Pieter hou van die blues-note wat Johan so goed speel.

Pieter loves the blues notes that Johan plays so well.

Elize draai altyd 'n kort ronde dansie wanneer sy ’n liedjie hoor wat sy herken.

Elize always does a little dance when she hears a song she recognizes.

"Wat is vandag se lied, Johan?

"What is today's song, Johan?"

" vra Elize terwyl sy nader stap.

Elize asks as she steps closer.

Johan voel ’n knoop in sy maag.

Johan feels a knot in his stomach.

Hy het besluit om na Johannesburg te trek om sy musiekloopbaan te bevorder, maar hy het nog vir niemand vertel nie.

He has decided to move to Johannesburg to advance his music career, but he hasn't told anyone yet.

Vandag, dink hy, sal hy moet besluit.

Today, he thinks, he will have to decide.

Bly hy stil, of vertel hy sy mense?

Does he keep quiet, or does he tell his people?

Hy kyk na die bekende gesigte in die skare — mense wat byna soos familie geword het.

He looks at the familiar faces in the crowd — people who have almost become like family.

Hy begin speel, die note vloei oor die plein.

He begins to play, the notes flowing across the square.

Almal word stil.

Everyone falls silent.

Die musiek trek hulle in.

The music draws them in.

Dit is 'n lied oor afskeid, oor verandering.

It is a song about farewell, about change.

Pieter voel iets anders aan die lied en kyk vraend na Johan.

Pieter senses something different in the song and looks questioningly at Johan.

Halverwege die liedjie, blikkeraf en met 'n tril in sy stem, hou Johan op speel.

Midway through the song, visibly nervous and with a quiver in his voice, Johan stops playing.

“Ek het nuus,” sê hy, sy stem effens hees.

"I have news," he says, his voice slightly hoarse.

“Ek gaan Kaapstad verlaat.

"I am leaving Kaapstad."

” 'n Stilte volg.

A silence follows.

Dan ’n gesug van ongeloof, maar ook van verstaan.

Then a sigh of disbelief, but also understanding.

“Ek gaan Johannesburg toe, om nuwe drome na te jaag,” verduidelik hy, sy oë glinster van emosie.

"I'm going to Johannesburg, to chase new dreams," he explains, his eyes glistening with emotion.

Die skare drom nader.

The crowd gathers closer.

Elize neem sy hand en druk dit.

Elize takes his hand and squeezes it.

"Ons is trots op jou," sê sy eenvoudig.

"We are proud of you," she says simply.

Pieter gee hom ’n stewige drukkie.

Pieter gives him a firm hug.

"Jy sal die musieksaal daar in Johannesburg vol speel.

"You'll fill the music halls in Johannesburg.

Jy het dit vinnig gemaak.

You've made it this far quickly."

"Johan voel 'n las van sy skouers afgly.

Johan feels a burden lift from his shoulders.

Hy het bang was vir hierdie oomblik, maar nou voel hy verlig.

He had been afraid of this moment, but now he feels relieved.

Hy voltooi sy laaste lied met 'n glimlag, sy vingers gly oor die snare met 'n nuwe sekerheid.

He finishes his last song with a smile, his fingers gliding over the strings with new confidence.

Na die lied omhels sy vriende hom.

After the song, his friends embrace him.

“Ons gaan jou mis, maar ons is hier vir jou,” sê ’n stem uit die skare.

“We will miss you, but we are here for you,” says a voice from the crowd.

Johan weet nou, hy het die regte besluit geneem.

Johan now knows he has made the right decision.

Sy pad vorentoe is onbekend, maar hy weet daar is mense wat hom ondersteun.

His path ahead is unknown, but he knows there are people who support him.

En met dié gedagte glinster die son helder in sy gedagtes soos die pragtige lente wat hom omring.

And with this thought, the sun shines brightly in his mind, like the beautiful spring that surrounds him.