Op 'n koue winteroggend in die suide van Suid-Afrika, stap Annelie warm aangetrek na die gemeenskapsaal.

On a cold winter morning in the south of South Africa, Annelie, warmly dressed, walks to the community hall.

Dit is Mandela-dag, en die koue lug steek haar wange rooi, maar sy laat haar nie ontmoedig nie.

It is Mandela Day, and the cold air turns her cheeks red, but she does not let it discourage her.

Die saal is vandag 'n stemlokaal, en dis vol mense.

Today, the hall is a polling station, and it's full of people.

Party mense staan in lang rye en praat saggies met mekaar.

Some people stand in long lines, quietly chatting with one another.

Annelie kyk na die groot plakkate van die kandidate aan die mure.

Annelie looks at the large posters of the candidates on the walls.

Sy dink aan die leierskap van Nelson Mandela en sy droom vir 'n beter Suid-Afrika.

She thinks about Nelson Mandela's leadership and his dream for a better South Africa.

Vandag is 'n belangrike dag.

Today is an important day.

Sy wil 'n verskil maak.

She wants to make a difference.

Johan, 'n vriend van Annelie, klop op haar skouer.

Johan, a friend of Annelie's, taps on her shoulder.

“Goeiemôre, Annelie!

"Good morning, Annelie!

Die rye is lank, né?

The lines are long, right?"

”"Ja, Johan, maar ek gee nie om nie.

"Yes, Johan, but I don't mind.

Dit is belangrik om te stem," antwoord sy met 'n glimlag.

It's important to vote," she replies with a smile.

Die rye beweeg stadig.

The lines move slowly.

Mense kla oor die koue en die tyd.

People complain about the cold and the time.

"Ek wonder of ons stemme enigsins tel," sê 'n ou man voor hulle.

"I wonder if our votes even count," says an old man in front of them.

Annelie voel hoe twyfel kom kruip.

Annelie feels doubt creeping in.

Wat as haar stem nie 'n verskil maak nie?

What if her vote doesn't make a difference?

Sy stoot die gedagte eenkant en kyk weer na Mandela se woorde op 'n plakkaat: "Elkeen se stem is belangrik.

She pushes the thought aside and looks again at Mandela's words on a poster: "Every vote counts."

"“Ons moet vasbyt, Johan,” sê sy sterk.

"We must persevere, Johan," she says firmly.

“Ek stem saam, Annelie.

"I agree, Annelie.

Ons moet drome van verandering glo.

We must believe in dreams of change."

”Ure gaan verby.

Hours pass.

Annelie se voete voel moeg, maar haar gees bly sterk.

Annelie's feet feel tired, but her spirit remains strong.

Eindelik bereik sy die stemhokkie.

Finally, she reaches the voting booth.

Dit is 'n stil, afgesonderde plek.

It is a quiet, secluded place.

Die wêreld buite voel ver.

The outside world feels distant.

Sy staan daar met die papier in haar hand.

She stands there with the paper in her hand.

Hier, vêr van ander mense, voel sy die gewig van haar verantwoordelikheid.

Here, away from other people, she feels the weight of her responsibility.

Annelie maak haar kruis.

Annelie makes her mark.

Haar hande bewe 'n bietjie, maar haar hart is seker.

Her hands tremble a little, but her heart is sure.

Sy vou die papier en plaas dit in die boks.

She folds the paper and places it in the box.

Dit is gedoen.

It is done.

Haar stem is gehoor.

Her voice has been heard.

Met 'n gevoel van trots stap sy uit die lokaal.

With a sense of pride, she walks out of the hall.

Johan wag buite.

Johan waits outside.

Meer mense kom aan, geïnspireer deur haar vasberadenheid.

More people arrive, inspired by her determination.

“Dankie, Annelie,” sê een vrou met 'n glimlag.

"Thank you, Annelie," says a woman with a smile.

“Jy het my moed gegee.

"You gave me courage."

”Annelie antwoord, “Dis ons saam wat 'n verskil maak.

Annelie replies, "It's us together who make a difference."

”Terwyl sy huis toe stap, voel sy iets verander in haar hart.

As she walks home, she feels something change in her heart.

Sy weet nou haar stem het krag.

She now knows her voice has power.

Sy is hernuwe in haar hoop en oortuiging.

She is renewed in her hope and conviction.

Die dag se koue kan nie haar gees afkoel nie.

The day's cold cannot cool her spirit.

Sy het gedoen wat reg is, vir haar gemeenskap en vir Mandela se droom.

She has done what is right, for her community and for Mandela's dream.

En so, met 'n warm gloed in haar hart, stap Annelie verder.

And so, with a warm glow in her heart, Annelie walks further.

Hulle toekoms is ligter, een stem op 'n slag.

Their future is brighter, one vote at a time.