Die son sak oor die Kaapse Hawe, en die lug kleur in skakerings van oranje en pienk.

The sun sets over the Kaapse Hawe, and the sky is colored in shades of orange and pink.

Die warmte van die somer se briesie bring die sout geur van die see.

The warmth of the summer breeze brings the salty smell of the sea.

Jaco staan op die dek van die toeristeboot, sy oë op die skouspelagtige Tafelberg.

Jaco stands on the deck of the tourist boat, his eyes on the spectacular Tafelberg.

Sy hart klop vinnig, deels van opwinding en deels van senuwees.

His heart beats quickly, partly from excitement and partly from nerves.

Dit is Oujaarsaand, en die boot is tot barstens toe vol mense wat wil sien hoe die nuwe jaar oor die horison breek.

It's New Year's Eve, and the boat is bursting with people who want to see the new year break over the horizon.

Jaco het groot drome.

Jaco has big dreams.

Hy wil die wêreld deur die oseaan sien.

He wants to see the world through the ocean.

Maar sy familie verstaan nie.

But his family doesn't understand.

Hulle wil hê hy moet iets meer "vaste" doen, iets op droë grond.

They want him to do something more "solid," something on dry land.

Jaco voel ver van hulle af, fisies en emosioneel.

Jaco feels far from them, physically and emotionally.

Marius, die kaptein van die boot, roep na Jaco.

Marius, the captain of the boat, calls to Jaco.

"Ons het hulp nodig met die passasiers!

"We need help with the passengers!"

" Jaco weet die boot is oorbespreek.

Jaco knows the boat is overbooked.

Dinge is besig om stressvol te raak.

Things are getting stressful.

Linda, nog 'n dekhand, strompel onder die gewoel van opwinding.

Linda, another deckhand, stumbles under the hullabaloo of excitement.

“Ons is te min mense,” sê sy, haar stem oor die lag en geselskap om haar hewe.

"We are too few people," she says, her voice cutting through the laughter and chatter around her.

Jaco knik en neem 'n besluit.

Jaco nods and makes a decision.

Hy sal ekstra werk doen.

He will do extra work.

Hier op die water, weg van bakleiery en meningsverskille, voel hy tuis.

Here on the water, away from fights and disagreements, he feels at home.

Hy hardloop oor die dek, help om die tafels reg te maak, verwelkom passasiers, en dra 'n wye glimlag.

He runs across the deck, helps set up the tables, welcomes passengers, and carries a wide smile.

Hy is vasberade dat die aand 'n sukses sal wees.

He is determined that the evening will be a success.

Die aand vorder en passasiers maak gereed vir die vuurwerke.

The night progresses, and passengers prepare for the fireworks.

Jaco kyk na die see.

Jaco looks at the sea.

Dis sy metgesel in drome en hoop.

It's his companion in dreams and hope.

Skielik ruk die boot.

Suddenly the boat jolts.

Die water raak rof.

The water becomes rough.

Paniek begin in die oë van die passasiers.

Panic begins in the passengers' eyes.

Jaco weet hy moet iets doen, vinnig.

Jaco knows he must do something, quickly.

Marius gee bevele, maar dit is Jaco se kalm besluitnemingsvermoë wat help.

Marius gives orders, but it is Jaco's calm decision-making ability that helps.

Hy sorg dat almal sitplekke behou, hou hulle gerus.

He ensures everyone keeps their seats and reassures them.

Dit is 'n spanpoging.

It is a team effort.

Linda help ook, haar oë ontmoet Jaco s'n in 'n woordelose ooreenkoms.

Linda also helps, her eyes meeting Jaco's in a wordless agreement.

Middernag slaan, en die lug ontplof in lig en kleur.

Midnight strikes, and the sky explodes in light and color.

Die boot is weer stabiel en die reisigers juig.

The boat is stable again, and the travelers cheer.

Jaco voel 'n golf van trots.

Jaco feels a wave of pride.

Hy het iets gewys, nie net aan homself nie, maar ook aan sy gesin - al is hulle nie hier nie.

He has shown something, not only to himself but also to his family - even though they are not here.

Na die fees, in 'n stil oomblik by die reling, haal hy sy selfoon uit.

After the celebration, in a quiet moment by the railing, he takes out his phone.

Hy bel sy familie.

He calls his family.

Die lyn lui lank, maar uiteindelik antwoord sy ma.

The line rings for a long time, but finally, his mother answers.

Haar stem is warm, soos 'n kombers op 'n koue winterdag.

Her voice is warm, like a blanket on a cold winter's day.

"Jaco, ons is trots op jou," sê sy.

"Jaco, we are proud of you," she says.

Trane oorweldig hom.

Tears overwhelm him.

Hulle het hom nie vergeet nie.

They haven't forgotten him.

Die nag eindig met 'n stil tevredenheid.

The night ends with a quiet satisfaction.

Jaco weet hy het 'n plek op die see, en nou ook 'n verbindingslyn na die mense wat vir hom omgee, die ouer, sterker draad van liefde en begrip.

Jaco knows he has a place on the sea and now also a connection to the people who care for him, the older, stronger thread of love and understanding.