Die son het helder oor Kirstenbosch Nasionale Botaniese Tuin geskyn.

The sun shone brightly over Kirstenbosch Nasionale Botaniese Tuin.

Dit was 'n warm somersdag in Kaapstad.

It was a warm summer's day in Kaapstad.

Die lug was blou en helder, en die geur van blomblare het die lug gevul.

The sky was blue and clear, and the scent of blossoms filled the air.

Annelie, Jacobus en Piet het 'n lekker plekkie onder 'n groot eikeboom gekies vir hul piekniek.

Annelie, Jacobus, and Piet had chosen a nice spot under a large oak tree for their picnic.

Die kombers was groen en wit gestreep, en die mandjie was propvol lekkernye.

The blanket was green and white striped, and the basket was brimming with treats.

"Gelukkige Nuwejaar!

"Happy New Year!"

" het Piet uitgeroep en 'n druiwe sapbottel geopen.

Piet exclaimed, opening a bottle of grape juice.

Sy gesig was vrolik soos altyd.

His face was as cheerful as always.

Hy het die glasies gevul en aan almal uitgedeel.

He filled the glasses and handed them out to everyone.

Annelie het om haar gekyk.

Annelie looked around her.

Die tuin was besig, vol ander families wat die nuwe jaar saam verwelkom het.

The garden was busy, full of other families welcoming the new year together.

Daar was kinders wat gespeel en gelag het, mense wat gesels en gesellig saamgekuier het.

There were children playing and laughing, people chatting and socializing.

Maar diep binne-in Annelie was daar 'n klein knoop van spanning.

But deep inside Annelie, there was a small knot of tension.

Sy het geweet dat hierdie piekniek belangrik was.

She knew this picnic was important.

Dit was die regte oomblik om haar nuus met haar familie te deel.

It was the right moment to share her news with her family.

Sy het geweet haar besluit om Europa toe te trek sou nie maklik aanvaar word nie, veral nie deur haar broer Jacobus nie.

She knew her decision to move to Europa would not be easily accepted, especially not by her brother, Jacobus.

Hy het altyd geglo dat tuis bly die regte keuse is.

He had always believed that staying home was the right choice.

"Wanneer gaan jy die nuus vertel, Annelie?

"When are you going to tell the news, Annelie?"

" het Piet sag gevra nadat Jacobus 'n ent weggestap het om iets by die kar te haal.

Piet asked softly after Jacobus stepped away a bit to fetch something from the car.

"Ek weet nie," het sy geantwoord, haar hande effens bewerig.

"I don't know," she answered, her hands slightly shaky.

"Miskien wag ek tot ʼn beter tyd.

"Maybe I'll wait for a better time."

"Piet het geglimlag.

Piet smiled.

"Die tyd is nooit perfek nie," het hy gesê.

"The time is never perfect," he said.

"Jy moet net spring.

"You just have to jump."

"Met die terugkeer van Jacobus na die piekniek-kombers, het Annelie haar moed bymekaargeskraap.

With the return of Jacobus to the picnic blanket, Annelie gathered her courage.

Die kleure van die tuin het haar kalmeer, en sy het 'n diep asem geskep.

The colors of the garden calmed her, and she took a deep breath.

Dit was nou of nooit.

It was now or never.

"Kom ons drink 'n toast vir die nuwe jaar," het sy luid genoeg gesê sodat Jacobus dit kon hoor.

"Let's make a toast to the new year," she said loud enough for Jacobus to hear.

Almal het hul glasies gelig.

Everyone raised their glasses.

"En 'n nuwe begin.

"And a new beginning."

"Haar hande het nie meer gebewe toe sy haar glas gelig het nie.

Her hands no longer trembled as she lifted her glass.

"Ek het iets om te sê," het sy voortgegaan.

"I have something to say," she continued.

"Ek het besluit om Europa toe te gaan.

"I've decided to go to Europa.

Ek wil my loopbaan daar volg en die wêreld sien.

I want to pursue my career there and see the world."

"Jacobus het verbaas gelyk, sy mond effens oop.

Jacobus looked surprised, his mouth slightly agape.

Die stilte was kort.

The silence was brief.

"Maar hoekom, Annelie?

"But why, Annelie?"

" het hy uiteindelik gevra.

he finally asked.

"Dit is so ver.

"It's so far."

""Dis my droom," het sy met selfvertroue geantwoord.

"It's my dream," she replied confidently.

"Ek wil leer en ontdek.

"I want to learn and discover.

Ek belowe, ek sal altyd terugkom om julle te besoek.

I promise, I'll always come back to visit you."

"Piet het eerste gereageer, sy kenmerkende glimlag weer op sy gesig.

Piet was the first to respond, his characteristic smile back on his face.

"Ek is bly vir jou, Annelie.

"I'm happy for you, Annelie.

Jy gaan wonderlike avonture hê!

You're going to have wonderful adventures!"

"Jacobus het na sy suster gekyk, die bekommernis stadig in begrip verander.

Jacobus looked at his sister, his worry slowly turning into understanding.

"As dit regtig is wat jy wil, sal ek jou ondersteun," het hy gesê.

"If it's truly what you want, I'll support you," he said.

"Jy bly ons suster, maak nie saak waar jy is nie.

"You're still our sister, no matter where you are."

"Met dié woorde het Annelie geweet dat sy die regte besluit geneem het.

With those words, Annelie knew that she had made the right decision.

Haar familie was saam met haar op hierdie rit, selfs al was hulle aan die ander kant van die wêreld.

Her family was with her on this journey, even if they were on the other side of the world.

Die Afrikasomer se son het steeds warm gebrand, en die vreugde van die nuwe begin het in Annelie se hart gevlam.

The African summer's sun still burned warmly, and the joy of a new beginning blazed in Annelie's heart.

Sy het geweet dat sy geliefd was en dat sy altyd 'n huis gehad het, ongeag waar haar reis haar neem.

She knew she was loved and that she always had a home, no matter where her journey took her.