Die son bak helder oor die Karoo se vlaktes.

The sun shines brightly over the Karoo's plains.

Die lug is blou, maar die grond is droog en dor.

The sky is blue, but the ground is dry and barren.

Daar is geen teken van reën in sig nie.

There is no sign of rain in sight.

Die plaas, wat al geslagte lank aan Elmarie se familie behoort, is in gevaar.

The farm, which has belonged to Elmarie's family for generations, is in danger.

Elmarie stap stadig oor die dorre aarde, haar oë vol bekommernis.

Elmarie walks slowly over the barren earth, her eyes full of worry.

Sy het nog nooit sulke droogte gesien nie.

She has never seen such drought.

Johann, haar jong broer, is by die skuur besig om stukkies draad reg te maak.

Johann, her younger brother, is at the barn fixing bits of wire.

Hy kyk op en glimlag, al is hy self ook bekommerd.

He looks up and smiles, even though he is also worried.

"Ons moet 'n manier vind om die vee aan die lewe te hou," sê hy met hoop in sy stem.

"We must find a way to keep the livestock alive," he says with hope in his voice.

Elmarie haal diep asem en knik.

Elmarie takes a deep breath and nods.

Sy is vasbeslote om die plaas te red.

She is determined to save the farm.

Sy weet, diep binne haar hart, dat sy ’n oplossing moet vind.

She knows, deep in her heart, that she must find a solution.

Elmarie besluit om 'n nuwe boorgat te laat sink, al weet sy dit gaan baie geld kos.

Elmarie decides to sink a new borehole, even though she knows it will cost a lot of money.

Miskien is daar ondergrondse water wat hulle nog nie gevind het nie.

Maybe there is underground water they have not yet found.

Mandla, wat al jare op die plaas werk, stap nader.

Mandla, who has worked on the farm for years, walks closer.

Hy is 'n stille, wyse man.

He is a quiet, wise man.

Sy oë is sag en begripvol.

His eyes are soft and understanding.

Hy het 'n rustige teenwoordigheid wat 'n mens kalmeer.

He has a calm presence that soothes a person.

Hy verstaan die plaas en sy mense soos min ander.

He understands the farm and its people like few others.

Die boorgat begin laat sak in die aarde.

The borehole begins to descend into the earth.

Die masjien brul en dreun, maar water bly uit.

The machine roars and rumbles, but water stays elusive.

Elmarie se moed sak soos die son oor die horison begin afsak.

Elmarie's spirits sink as the sun begins to dip over the horizon.

Die gedruis van die masjien raak stiller, en daarmee saam haar hoop.

The noise of the machine becomes quieter, and with it her hope.

"Elmarie," sê Mandla – sy stem is diep en vol oortuiging – "daar is 'n plek naby die ou wilgerboom by die droë rivierloop.

"Elmarie," says Mandla—his voice deep and full of conviction—"there is a place near the old willow tree by the dry riverbed.

Dit is 'n spesiale plek.

It is a special place.

Miskien is daar water.

Maybe there is water."

"Elmarie huiwer, maar iets in sy stem oortuig haar.

Elmarie hesitates, but something in his voice convinces her.

Die masjiene word geskuif na die plek wat Mandla aangedui het.

The machines are moved to the spot Mandla indicated.

Hulle boor weer, en kort voor lank breek die grond skielik en helder water stroom na bo.

They drill again, and before long, the ground suddenly breaks and clear water bursts forth.

Elmarie voel 'n warm golf van verligting en dankbaarheid oor haar spoel.

Elmarie feels a warm wave of relief and gratitude wash over her.

Almal bly staan en kyk hoe die water stroom.

Everyone stands and watches the water flow.

Johann juig, en selfs Mandla, altyd kalm en beheersd, glimlag breed.

Johann cheers, and even Mandla, always calm and composed, smiles broadly.

Elmarie weet sy kon dit nie alleen regkry nie.

Elmarie knows she couldn't have done it alone.

Die gemeenskap is haar krag.

The community is her strength.

Sy maak 'n mentale nota om altyd na hulle raad te luister en hul wysheid met haar te deel.

She makes a mental note to always listen to their advice and share in their wisdom.

Met die kosbare water wat nou uit die aarde spruit, is daar hoop vir die komende maande.

With the precious water now springing from the earth, there is hope for the coming months.

Die vee sal weer sterk wees, en die veld sal kan herleef.

The livestock will be strong again, and the land will be able to revive.

Die plaas se toekoms lyk weer helder, en Elmarie weet dat haar familie se erfenis nog lank sal voortbestaan.

The farm's future looks bright again, and Elmarie knows that her family's legacy will endure for a long time.