Die warm lentelug omhels die drie vriende, terwyl hulle die kronkelende paadjies van Tafelberg begin stap.

The warm spring air embraces the three friends as they begin hiking the winding paths of Tafelberg.

Die son skyn helder oor Kaapstad en laat die groenigheid van die plantegroei glinster.

The sun shines brightly over Kaapstad, making the greenery of the vegetation shimmer.

Riaan, met sy angstige glimlag, stap agter Elmarie en Jaco aan.

Riaan, with his anxious smile, walks behind Elmarie and Jaco.

Hy is vasberade om sy vrees vir hoogtes te oorkom.

He is determined to overcome his fear of heights.

Vandag is die dag, dink hy vir homself.

Today is the day, he thinks to himself.

Elmarie is in haar element.

Elmarie is in her element.

Haar selfoon is gereed, en by elke skilderagtige stop neem sy 'n selfie.

Her phone is ready, and at every picturesque stop, she takes a selfie.

"Hierdie een gaan Instagram 'n bietjie laat bons," lag sy terwyl Riaan eng vas aan 'n rots vashou nonchalant sy hande wegsteek.

"This one is going to make Instagram bounce a bit," she laughs while Riaan clings tightly to a rock, nonchalantly hiding his hands.

Hy kan die diepte onder hom voel, al probeer hy nie afkyk nie.

He can feel the depth below him, even as he tries not to look down.

Jaco, die organiserende brein van die ekspedisie, hou presies by die situasie.

Jaco, the organizing brain of the expedition, keeps a precise eye on the situation.

Sy horlosie piep soos hy hul vordering meet.

His watch beeps as he measures their progress.

"Ons moet roer, ouens!

"We have to move, guys!

Ons het net nog 'n uur om bo uit te kom sodat ons die middagson vir ons piekniek kan vang," sê hy, sy oë op die pad voor hom.

We only have another hour to reach the top so we can catch the afternoon sun for our picnic," he says, his eyes on the path ahead.

Die pad raak steiler.

The path becomes steeper.

Riaan voel sy hart vinniger klop, en elke tree word 'n uitdaging.

Riaan feels his heart beating faster, and each step becomes a challenge.

Elmarie draai van tyd tot tyd om hom bemoedigend toe te glimlag.

Elmarie turns occasionally to give him an encouraging smile.

"Ons is amper daar, Riaan.

"We are almost there, Riaan.

Jy maak dit!

You're making it!"

" sê sy.

she says.

Net voor die kruin van die berg, slaan paniek toe.

Just before the crest of the mountain, panic strikes.

Die pad voor hulle ooplê is styf en blootgestel aan die wind.

The path ahead is narrow and exposed to the wind.

Riaan stop skielik, sy bene wil nie beweeg nie.

Riaan suddenly stops, his legs refuse to move.

Hy kan die swaai van die land onder hom voel.

He can feel the land swaying beneath him.

"Ek weet nie of ek dit kan maak nie," sê hy sag.

"I don't know if I can make it," he says softly.

Elmarie stap na hom toe.

Elmarie steps to him.

"Kyk net na die uitsig, Riaan.

"Just look at the view, Riaan.

Dis asemrowend.

It's breathtaking.

Dit sal al die moeite werd wees," sê sy, terwyl sy 'n pragtige foto neem van die son wat oor die see hang.

It will all be worth it," she says, taking a beautiful photo of the sun hanging over the sea.

Jaco, met sy hand op Riaan se skouer, sê: "Kom ons doen dit stap vir stap.

Jaco, with his hand on Riaan's shoulder, says: "Let's take it step by step.

Ons is hier vir jou.

We're here for you."

"Met sy vriende se aanmoediging, haal Riaan diep asem.

With his friends' encouragement, Riaan takes a deep breath.

Hy neem een tree, dan nog een.

He takes one step, then another.

Sy vrees smelt weg soos hulle stadig maar seker na die top beweeg.

His fear melts away as they slowly but surely move towards the top.

By die kruin kniel Riaan opgelug neer en glimlag breed.

At the crest, Riaan kneels relieved and smiles widely.

Vanuit hierdie hoogte lyk Kaapstad soos 'n juweel regoor die see, en die lente blomme dans in die ligte wind.

From this height, Kaapstad looks like a jewel across the sea, and the spring flowers dance in the light breeze.

Hulle sprei 'n kombers uit, sit die piekniekmandjie oop, en geniet elke oomblik van hul beloning.

They spread out a blanket, open the picnic basket, and enjoy every moment of their reward.

Riaan kyk uit oor die wye wêreld.

Riaan looks out over the vast world.

Hy voel vry en sterk, sy vrees vervang met nuwe selfvertroue.

He feels free and strong, his fear replaced with new confidence.

Die paar ure se stap het meer as net vrees oorwin, en hy het geleer dat, met vriende aan sy sy, selfs die hoogste berg geklim kan word.

The few hours of hiking have conquered more than just fear, and he has learned that, with friends by his side, even the highest mountain can be climbed.