Chris van der Westhuizen

Hierdie aand.
Nie net nóg ’n aand
waar sterre die hemellig
deurverskiet nie.

Nee, dit is mý aand -
waar ék die ster is,
waar my hele lewe
sprankelend begin skyn.

Op hierdie aand
word ek bekroon
met goud in rooi.
Die plegtigheid is net te mooi.

Na hierdie aand
sal ek as koning
vir my mense leef;
vir my land ’n verskil maak.

Na hierdie aand
sal almal in oorvloed
en in harmonie saamleef -
die sterkste land ooit wees.

Maar...

Word ek in hierdie aand
slaapend gevind,
is my hele droom
weereens net verby.

As ek na soveel kere
net één keer kan deurdruk,
en die sonopkoms sien,
was hierdie aand dalk verdien.

                              Chris M. v/d Westhuizen '2005

A Utopian Dream

This night.
Not just another night
where stars streak
across the heavens.

No, this is my night -
where I am the star,
where my whole life
begins to shine with spark and light.

On this night
I am crowned
with gold and crimson -
a ceremony too beautiful for words.

After this night
I will live as king,
for my people,
and make a difference to my land.

After this night
all will live in harmony,
in overflowing peace -
the greatest nation ever known.

But...

If, on this very night,
I am found asleep,
then my whole dream
has once again slipped away.

If after so many times
I can just push through once,
and see the rising sun -
then maybe this night was earned.

                              Chris M. v/d Westhuizen '2005 (Translated from Afrikaans)