A cock crows in the distance. A commuter glances at his watch. The time is 07h15. The cock is either late or it’s calling impatiently on a train which fails to arrive.

“Did you see the train crash in Joburg the other day?” a man enquires from the person standing next to him.

“Yes, apparently negligence from the driver; he ignored a red light,” the guy elaborates.

“That wasn’t the first and only crash we had in recent times I’m sure it won’t be the last and I don’t mean to be negative or act as a prophet of doom,” the first guy continues.

The conversation is momentarily interrupted by the arrival of the train appearing with doors ajar and commuters peeping from it.

“Here we go again. The big squeeze is on,” a lady comments as we enter the carriage.

“Ja nai, styf staan babe. Wies ma’ stêk my ma se kin,” a guy adds to her concern.

“Watte crashes anticipate djy ’an nog?” the conversation continues between the two guys as the suspension of the train moans and groans under the load leaving the station.

“Ou broe, as dinge nie gaan change en somma baie vinnag oek innie land ’ie kan ôs ma’ klaa’ maak virre big crash hiesa.”

“Die laaities op varsity vent al klaa’ hul frustrations vi’ n jaa’ al en there seems to be no end in sight,” the second guy explains looking very concerned.

“Djy’s reg ja, ma’ ek wonne altyd hoekô kan ôs dan nie lekke in harmony saamwêk nie en South Africa ’n prosperous model land maak oppie continent ‘ie,” his friend says sharing the concern.

“Greed, power, wealth, self-interests; alles dinge wat ôs terughou buddy. Some want a big piece of the cake… The rest must be satisfied with the crumbs,” the second guy explains.

We enter Mutual station and the bulk of the commuters leave the carriage looking relieved.

A vendor enters the carriage greeting everybody with a smile and says, “Aweh Capetonians! Hiesa is jou airtime, jou sweets, refreshments; big time, anytime.”

“Now look at this guy,” the conversation starts afresh between the two guys.
His friend turns his face towards the vendor for a moment and looks back at him,“he makes a Rand or two profit on his products and he’s here every day, never complaining and always chirpy.

The friend takes another look at the vendor like he’s seeing him for the first time.

“He’s content with what he has. We don’t know what his history is or what the future holds, but we are in no position to judge him. Every day he’s making an honest living, trying to make ends meet. A living example of someone contributing towards society and the well-being of others.”

“En hie admire ôs ouens met material things and wealth,” the friend says looking at the vendor again.

“Exactly my point,” the first guy wraps up the conversation as we enter Salt River station.

The whistle blows and it sounds like an official signalling the end of a match as the train leaves the station.

***

Urban Dictionary

nai – An Afrikaaps word for “no” most likely from the Hindi-Indo Malay word “nahin” originally used by Cape Malays.

stêk – The Afrikaaps word for “sterk” which is Afrikaans for “strong”.

watte -The Afrikaaps word for “watter” which is Afrikaans for “which”.

hoekô – The Afrikaaps word for “hoekom” which is Afrikaans for “why”.

saamwêk – The Afrikaaps word for “saamwerk” which is Afrikaans for “work together / cooperate”.

“Ja nai, styf staan babe. Wies ma’ stêk my ma se kin.”
“Yes, no, stand tightly babe. Rather be strong my mother’s child.”

“Watte crashes anticipate djy ’an nog?”
“Which crashes are you then still anticipating?”

“Ou broe, as dinge nie gaan change en somma baie vinnag oek innie land ’ie kan ôs ma’ klaa’ maak virre big crash hiesa.”
“Old Brother, if things are not going to change and don’t change fast in this country, then we should prepare ourselves for a big crash over here.”

“Die laaities op varsity vent al klaa’ hul frustrations vi’ n jaa’ al en…”
“The kids at varsity are already venting their frustrations for a year and…”

“Djy’s reg ja, ma’ ek wonne altyd hoekô kan ôs dan nie lekke in harmony saamwêk nie en South Africa ’n prosperous model land maak oppie continent ‘ie.”
“You are right, but I’m always wondering why can we not work nicely together in harmony and make South Africa a prosperous model country on the continent?”

“…alles dinge wat ôs terughou buddy.”
“…all that hold us back buddy.”

“En hie admire ôs ouens met material things and wealth.”
“And here we are admiring guys with material things and wealth.”