ELTON APRIL

Opsomming van die roman

Elton April is ’n graad sewe-leerder aan Laerskool Jakaranda. Hy loop gevaar om die jaar
te druip: hy is dikwels laat, vergeet om huiswerk en take te doen en vaar nie goed in toetse
nie. Niemand weet dat hierdie gedrag ’n uitvloeisel van sy swak huislike omstandighede is
nie.

Sy ouers is geskei. Hy en sy ma (Beryl) woon in Pretoria waar sy by ’n staatshospitaal

verpleëg. Sy pa (Jimmy) woon in Oudtshoorn en dien in die weermag. Volgens Elton sal hy
binnekort ’n generaal wees. Hy verlang hom dood na sy pa en droom oor hoe hy geld
bymekaar gaan maak om vir ’n vakansie in Oudtshoorn te kan gaan kuier.

Sy verlange word aangevuur deur die feit dat sy ma ’n onbetroubare ouer is wat dikwels
nie saans huis toe kom nie omdat sy glo deurnag werk. Elton weet dit is nie waar nie, want
sy het voortdurend kêrels – die een slegter as die ander. Haar huidige kêrel (Terry) is ’n
beleggingsadviseur wat beloof om haar en Elton ryk te maak. Elton vertrou nie die vrede
nie. Hy en Terry kom ook glad nie oor die weg nie.

Om homself besig te hou wanneer sy ma nie by die huis is nie, speel Elton straatsokker
saam met die kinders van sy woonstelblok. By die skool is hy ’n belowende rugbyspeler –
totdat hy as gevolg van vriende Gert-Jan se manewales detensie moet sit en dan uitmuis op
die ligawedstryd. Hy hoop ook om die eerste krieketspan te haal, maar weet nie waar hy
geld gaan kry vir nuwe toerusting nie. Gelukkig het sy vriend Dawid en die se ma goeie
harte.

Intussen is mislike juffrou Visser (Vis) weg by die skool. Haar plaasvervanger is juffrou
Broom, wat op die oog af selfs kwaaier as Vis is. Dit is nie lank nie of die hoofmeisie,
Letitzia Kotte, dink vir haar die bynaam juffrou Brom uit. Onder leiding van Letitzia en
haar beste vriendin (Anneke Pienaar) ontstaan ’n skinderstorie oor juffrou Brom se
privaatlewe: sy is waarskynlik ’n heks besit is en boonop te kere wiër vir Halloween en sy is
in ’n liefdesverhouding met Elton se voogonderwyser, meneer Wolmarans (Wolles)
betrokke. Haar sogenaamde eks kêry dan maam Bakkiebof en die kinders vind uit
waarheen hulle onder klere aanbestelling dag.

Op ’n toneelkompetisie vertel juffrou Broom vir Elton en sy vriende dat Afrikaans ’n vak
vol pret is en word die mooiste deur digters, sangers en skrywers en wie daan self sy hand
an die skryf van gedigte en kortverhale slaan.

Terwyl Elton meer entoesiasties oor sy skoolwerk raak en begin moed skep dat hy graad
sewe sal slaag, beleef hy talle terugslae: hy wen nie die geld vir ’n buskaartjie om by sy pa
te kan gaan kuier nie, die kriekettoerusting wat Dawid vir hom koop, word gesteel, die
meisie op wie hy verlief raak, haat hom omdat hy haar in die steek laat, hy slaap soms
honger, nat en koud en sy ma beland in die allervreeslikste penarie.

Einde ten laaste kom die waarheid aan die lig en besef Elton dat hy sy ore uitgeleen het aan
skinderstories oor Bakkiebof, Wolles en juffrou Brom. Hy besef hoe Wolles en Brom altyd
sy beste belange op die hart dra. Hy besef dat hy ’n kans staan om eendag beroemd te
word. Hy skryf sy verhaal neer (en redigeer dit ook self) – vir in geval iemand hom in die
toekoms vra waar dit dan begin het dat hy beroemd geword het. Hy skryf dit ook neer vir
juffrou Brom en sy pa om te lees sodat hulle trots op hom kan wees.

Summary of the novel

Elton April is a Grade Seven learner at Jakaranda Primary School. He is at risk of failing the
year: he is often late, forgets to do homework and assignments, and does poorly in tests. No one
knows that this behaviour is the result of his poor home circumstances.

His parents are divorced. He and his mother (Beryl) live in Pretoria, where she works at a state
hospital. His father (Jimmy) lives in Oudtshoorn and serves in the army. According to Elton, he
will soon be a general. He misses his dad terribly and dreams of how he will save money to go
on holiday to visit him in Oudtshoorn.

His longing is fuelled by the fact that his mother is an unreliable parent who often doesn't come
home at night because she claims to work night shifts. Elton knows this isn’t true, as she
continuously has boyfriends – each one worse than the last. Her current boyfriend (Terry) is an
investment advisor who promises to make her and Elton rich. Elton doesn’t trust the peace. He
and Terry also don’t get along at all.

To keep himself busy when his mom isn’t home, Elton plays street soccer with the kids from his
apartment block. At school, he is a promising rugby player – until, due to the antics of his friend
Gert-Jan, he has to sit detention and misses the league match. He also hopes to make the first
cricket team, but doesn’t know where he’ll get money for new equipment. Luckily, his friend
Dawid and his mom have good hearts.

Meanwhile, the unpleasant Miss Visser (Vis) is gone from the school. Her replacement is Miss
Broom, who at first seems even stricter than Vis. It’s not long before the head girl, Letitzia
Kotte, comes up with the nickname Miss Brom for her. Under Letitzia’s leadership, and with her
best friend (Anneke Pienaar), a rumour starts about Miss Broom’s private life: she’s probably a
witch, owned by evil, and obsessed with Halloween – and she's supposedly in a romantic
relationship with Elton’s mentor teacher, Mr Wolmarans (Wolles). Her so-called ex is then
“Maam Bakkiebof”, and the kids discover where their lingerie order is going.

At a drama competition, Miss Broom tells Elton and his friends that Afrikaans is a subject full of
fun and is best expressed through poets, singers and writers – and he decides to try his hand at
writing poems and short stories.
While Elton becomes more enthusiastic about his schoolwork and begins to hope that he will
pass Grade Seven, he experiences many setbacks: he doesn’t win the money for a bus ticket to
visit his dad, the cricket gear that Dawid bought him gets stolen, the girl he falls in love with
hates him because he let her down, he sometimes sleeps hungry, wet and cold, and his mother
ends up in a terrible predicament.

In the end, the truth comes out and Elton realises that he lent his ears to gossip about Bakkiebof,
Wolles, and Miss Brom. He realises how Wolles and Brom always had his best interests at heart.
He realises that he has a chance of becoming famous one day. He writes down his story (and
edits it himself too) – in case someone asks him one day where it all started when he became
famous. He also writes it down for Miss Brom and his dad to read so that they can be proud of
him.

Kort opsommings van elke hoofstuk

(Short summaries of each chapter)

Naskrif (bl. 7)
(Postscript (p. 7))

Wanneer Elton ’n prys by die prysuitdeling ontvang, besef hy dat niks in sy pad staan om eendag
beroemd te word nie. Om die waarheid te sê hy reeds amper “famous”: hy speel goed rugby en
krieket, hy sing mooi, hy het graad sewe sater sy naam en hy het al ’n prys of twee gewen. Hy besluit
om sy verhaal neer te skryf (en self te redigeer) net in geval hy eendag vir die pers moet verduidelik
waar sy roem begin het. Hy skryf dit ook neer sodat juffrou Brom en sy pa trots op hom moet wees.
Die naskrif dien as voorwoord tot die verhaal.

(When Elton receives a prize at the awards ceremony, he realises that nothing stands in his way of
becoming famous one day. In fact, he is already almost “famous”: he plays rugby and cricket well, sings
beautifully, has Grade Seven behind his name, and has already won a prize or two. He decides to write
down his story (and edit it himself) just in case he ever has to explain to the press where his fame
started. He also writes it down so that Miss Brom and his father can be proud of him. The postscript acts
as a foreword to the story.)

Nuus (bl. 8)
(News (p. 8))

Dit is die eerste dag van die tweede kwartaal. Elton sien nie kans vir skool nie, want juffrou Visser
(Vis) gaan hom seker weer dop. Maar dan breek Letitzia Kotte, die hoofmeisie, die nuus dat juffrou
Visser bedank het. Laerskool Jakaranda se graad sewes kry ’n nuwe Afrikaanse onderwyseres: juffrou
Broom. Letitzia praat die klas bang met die nuwe juffrou wat glo baie kwaai is. Skielik staan juffrou
Broom in die deur. Sy het alles gehoor wat Letitzia sê.
(It is the first day of the second term. Elton doesn’t feel up to school, because Miss Visser is probably
going to fail him again. But then Letitzia Kotte, the head girl, breaks the news that Miss Visser has
resigned. The Grade Sevens of Jakaranda Primary School get a new Afrikaans teacher: Miss Broom.
Letitzia frightens the class with stories about how strict the new teacher is. Suddenly, Miss Broom stands
in the doorway. She has heard everything Letitzia said.)

Nuwe besems (bl. 13)

(New brooms (p. 13))

Juffrou Broom stel haarself bekend aan 7W. Almal is skrikkerig vir hoe sy lyk en hoe gemaklik sy met
die besem is. Sy bewys dat sy reeds die leerders se name ken, iets wat Elton laat voel hy gaan
swaarkry in haar klas. Die leerders help haar om die klas in te rig soos sy dit wil hê: alles oud en
outyds word van die mure afgehaal, die woordeboeke word gebêre en die tasse buite gelos. Dit is
hierdeur aandersheid, tesame met die feit dat sy haar selfoonnommer aan die leerders deurgee, wat
Elton laat moed skep dat sy nie so kwaai is as wat sy lyk nie. Wanneer sy aan die einde van die periode
belowe hulle beloon die volgende dag die groep, glo Elton sy gaan vir hulle tee met kondensmelk gee.

(Miss Broom introduces herself to 7W. Everyone is scared of how she looks and how easily she handles
the broom. She proves that she already knows the learners’ names, something that makes Elton feel like
he’s going to struggle in her class. The learners help her arrange the classroom the way she wants:
everything old and outdated is removed from the walls, the dictionaries are packed away, and the bags
are left outside. Through this difference, along with the fact that she gives the learners her cell number,
Elton starts to believe that she might not be as strict as she seems. When she promises to reward the
group the next day, Elton believes she will give them tea with condensed milk.)

Dikteer (bl. 18)

(Dictation (p. 18))

In saalperiode word die graad sewes herinner aan die eersdaagse entrepreneursdag. Elton beplan om
kondensmelkspuite te verkoop omdat sy ma vir hom spuitnaalde by die hospitaal kan kry. Juffrou
Broom is skepties en instrueer Elton om sy bes te gee. Anneke en Gert-Jan wonder of dit iets met
Halloween te doen kan hê. Juffrou Broom laat daardie leerders skryf en Elton besef dat dit die
dikteetoets is. Hy besef dat hy nie bereid was nie, en dat hy haar sou laat dink hy’s dom of lui. Terwyl
die ander leerders skryf, maak sy ’n opmerking oor sy hare wat so mooi glans vir die klas.

(During homeroom, the Grade Sevens are reminded of the upcoming Entrepreneurs’ Day. Elton plans to
sell condensed milk syringes because his mom can get him syringes from the hospital. Miss Broom is
sceptical and instructs Elton to do his best. Anneke and Gert-Jan wonder if it has anything to do with
Halloween. Miss Broom lets those learners write, and Elton realises it’s the dictation test. He realises
that he was not prepared, and that she might think he’s stupid or lazy. While the other learners write,
she makes a comment in front of the class about how shiny his hair is.)
Juffrou Brom (bl. 23)
(Miss Brom (p. 23))

Juffrou Broom verduidelik vir 7W waarom die dikteetoets nie vir punte tel nie. Sy maak die leerders
vertroud met haar aweregse klasreëls en verduidelik die puntestelsel waarmee sy kinders aanspoor
tot klasdeelname. Letitzia ignoreer haar na die episode met die selfoonoproep. Aan die einde van die
periode dink sy die naam “Juffrou Brom” uit. Elton en Dawid skryf dit in hul geheime sêgoedboek.

(Miss Broom explains to 7W why the dictation test doesn’t count for marks. She familiarises the learners
with her unconventional classroom rules and explains the point system she uses to encourage children
to participate. Letitzia ignores her after the incident with the phone call. At the end of the period, she
comes up with the name “Miss Brom.” Elton and Dawid write it in their secret quote book.)

Kompetisie (bl. 28)

(Competition (p. 28))

Mister Reddy van die Spar besoek die skool om die leerders uit te daag om aan die tekenkompetisie
deel te neem. Die wenner ontvang R1000-prysgeld en hy en sy kunswerk word saam met sy klasmaats
afgeneem vir ’n advertensiebord naby die Spar. Elton beoog om die geld te wen.

(Mr Reddy from the Spar visits the school to challenge the learners to take part in the drawing
competition. The winner receives R1000 prize money and he and his artwork will be featured with his
classmates on a billboard near the Spar. Elton aims to win the money.)

Brom-Sherlock 1 (bl. 30)

(Brom-Sherlock 1 (p. 30))

Letitzia vermoed dat juffrou Brom nie werklik getroud is nie. Al dra sy ’n ring aan elke vinger, is hulle
volgens Letitzia te groot om ware diamante te kan wees. Sy en Anneke onderneem om uit te vind wie
Hilda Broom werklik is.

(Letitzia suspects that Miss Broom isn’t really married. Even though she wears a ring on every finger,
according to Letitzia they are too big to be real diamonds. She and Anneke set out to find out who Hilda
Broom really is.)

Brom-Sherlock 2 (bl. 32)

(Brom-Sherlock 2 (p. 32))

Graad 7W loer vir Juffrou Broom af wat sy in die parkeerarea met ’n man staan en gesels. Sy begin
huil, haal ’n ring van haar vinger af en die dit vir die man wat in sy bakkie spring en wegry. Die man
kry by Elton die naam Bakkiebof. Die klas sien ook hoe Wolles vir Juffrou Broom gaan troos en
spekuleer oor wat dit die mense van mekaar kan wees. Juffrou Broom laat skryf die klas ’n opstel oor
nuuskierigheid omdat hulle haar afgeluister het.
(Grade 7W spies on Miss Broom as she stands talking to a man in the parking lot. She begins to cry, takes
a ring off her finger and gives it to the man who jumps into his bakkie and drives off. Elton gives the man
the name Bakkiebof. The class also sees how Wolles goes to comfort Miss Broom and speculate on what
the relationship might be between them. Miss Broom has the class write an essay on curiosity because
they eavesdropped on her.)

SMS (bl. 36)

(SMS (p. 36))

Iemand stuur vir juffrou Brom ’n anonieme SMS asof dit van Wolles se vrou Erika af kom. Letitzia en
Anneke ontken dat hulle iets daarvan af weet. Die twee meisies se gedrag maak vir Elton en Dawid
naar.

(Someone sends Miss Brom an anonymous SMS pretending to be from Wolles’s wife, Erika. Letitzia and
Anneke deny knowing anything about it. The behaviour of the two girls makes Elton and Dawid feel
sick.)

Geld (bl. 37)

(Money (p. 37))

Elton hoor sy ma praat oor geldsake met iemand oor die telefoon. Daar is niks in die huis nie.
Wanneer Elton aanbid om Spar toe te gaan vir ’n lottokaartjie sê sy sy het nie plan om ryk te word: sy
gaan haar geld bêre. Sy praat heel aand oor die geld wat sy gaan maak. Elton slaap lewens op die bank
in die sitkamer wat hy reeds in die slaapkamer na haar moet luister.

(Elton hears his mother talking about money matters with someone over the phone. There is nothing in
the house. When Elton begs to go to Spar for a lotto ticket, she says she has no plans to get rich: she will
save her money. She talks the whole night about the money she is going to make. Elton sleeps on the
couch in the living room, already having moved out of the bedroom because he has to listen to her.)

Taal wat tel (bl. 39)

(Language that counts (p. 39))

In reaksie op die anonieme SMS wat juffrou Brom ontvang het, laat sy die klas onverwags ’n toets
skryf oor selfoon-etiket.

(In response to the anonymous SMS Miss Brom received, she unexpectedly has the class write a test on
cellphone etiquette.)

Selftal is weltaal (bl. 40)

(Self-talk is world-talk (p. 40))
Juffrou Brom gee vir Elton ’n goeie punt vir sy selfoon-etiket-toets. Hy verdien 500 punte vir sy
vraelys. Letitzia se kry ’n pennepunt. Die kinders wat voorheen vir juffrou Brom haar die naam
“Juffrou Brom” gegee het, besef dat hulle haar verkeerd beoordeel het. Sy sê sy het juffrou Brom. Dié
gaan aan met die klas asof die insident nooit gebeur het nie.

(Miss Brom gives Elton a good mark for his cellphone etiquette test. He earns 500 points for his
questionnaire. Letitzia gets only a pen point. The children who had previously given Miss Broom the
name “Miss Brom” realise they had misjudged her. She continues with the class as if the incident never
happened.)

Die kriek in die koffie (bl. 43)

(The cricket in the coffee (p. 43))

Dit is entrepreneursdag. Elton word wakker en besef hy het verslaap. Sy ma het nie die vorige aand
huis toe gekom nie – hy aanvaar sy moes deurnag werk. Dus het hy nie kondensmelkspuite nie.
Juffrou Broom het klaarblyklik nie veel simpatie nie. Elton probeer dan om die blikke kondensmelk
net so te verkoop, maar omdat hy nie ’n blikkopmaker het nie, kry dit nie veel aftrek nie. Juffrou
Broom kom onverwags tot sy redding met Wolles se Leatherman. Elton span saam met Dawid wat
sukkel om sy lekkergoodpakkies te verkoop en gou verkoop hulle alles en maak goeie wins. Toe hulle
oppak, kom Elton se ma aangehardloop met die spuite. Gert-Jan spot met hoe sy kyk en Lesedi pak
hom beet. Elton glo nie sy ma het nagskof gewerk nie, want hy sien hoe sy saam met ’n s’nymbol in sy
kar klim – seker ’n nuwe kêrel. Juffrou Brom belowe vir Elton se sy 500 punte vir sy uitdrukking
“Daar’s ’n kriek in die koffie”.

(It is Entrepreneurs’ Day. Elton wakes up and realises he has overslept. His mother didn’t come home
the night before – he assumes she had a night shift. So he doesn’t have the condensed milk syringes.
Miss Broom doesn’t seem to have much sympathy. Elton then tries to sell the tins of condensed milk as
they are, but because he doesn’t have a tin opener, they don’t sell well. Miss Broom unexpectedly
comes to the rescue with Wolles’s Leatherman. Elton teams up with Dawid, who is struggling to sell his
sweet packs, and soon they sell everything and make a good profit. As they pack up, Elton’s mother
comes running with the syringes. Gert-Jan mocks how she looks and Lesedi takes him on. Elton doesn’t
believe his mother worked night shift, because he sees her getting into a car with a man – surely a new
boyfriend. Miss Brom promises Elton 500 points for his expression “There’s a cricket in the coffee.”)

QUESTIONS PAGE 1 TO 22
1. Elton droom van drie moontlike maniere waarop hy eendag beroemd kan word. Noem twee.
(Elton dreams of three possible ways he might become famous one day. Name two.)
SKRYWER, RAPPER, KRIEKETSPELER
(Writer, rapper, cricket player)
2. Wat dink Elton is ’n spookskrywer?
(What does Elton think a ghostwriter is?)
’N SPOOK WAT JOU STORIE NEERSKRYF
(A ghost that writes your story down)

3. Waar woon Elton?

(Where does Elton live?)
PRETORIA
(Pretoria)

4. Slaag Elton graad 7?

OMKRING: JA / NEE
Hoe weet jy dit?
(Does Elton pass grade 7? CIRCLE: YES / NO. How do you know this?)
JA. HY KRYT “GRAAD 7” AGTER SY NAAM.
(Yes. He gets “Grade 7” behind his name.)

5. Wie in graad 7W dink sy pa is ’n generaal en waarom?

(Who in grade 7W thinks his dad is a general and why?)
LETOITZIA, WANT SY IS DIE HOOFMEISIE.
(Letitzia, because she is the head girl.)

6. Wie se pa is werklik ’n generaal?

(Whose dad is really a general?)
JIMMY
(Jimmy)

7. Waar woon Elton se PA?

(Where does Elton’s dad live?)
OUDTSHOORN
(Oudtshoorn)

8. Watter onderwyser breek Elton se moed vir Afrikaans?

(Which teacher breaks Elton’s courage for Afrikaans?)
JUFFROU VISSER / VIS
(Miss Visser)
9. Watter een van Elton se vriende het ’n spraakprobleem?
(Which one of Elton’s friends has a speech problem?)
DAWID
(Dawid)

10. Wie in Elton se vriendskring se reguit dat hy Letitzia se nuus nie glo nie?
(Who in Elton’s friend group says directly that he doesn’t believe Letitzia’s news?)
JASON
(Jason)

11. Wie neem die plek in van die onderwyseres wat bedank het?
(Who takes the place of the teacher who resigned?)
JUFFROU BROOM
(Miss Broom)

12. Wie is die hele tyd besig met ’n besem in die Afrikaans-klas?
(Who is constantly busy with a broom in the Afrikaans class?)
JUFFROU BROOM
(Miss Broom)

13. Wie sit in die voorste bank langs Elton?

(Who sits in the front desk next to Elton?)
LETOITZIA
(Letitzia)

14. Watter uitdrukking gebruik Elton wanneer juffrou Broom Letitzia op haar plek sit?
(What expression does Elton use when Miss Broom puts Letitzia in her place?)
JUFFROU BROOM “TRAP HAAR SOOS ’N GUNSTON.”
(Miss Broom “kicks her like a Gunston.”)

15. Wat is Dawid se van?

(What is Dawid’s surname?)
BEKKER
(Bekker)

16. Wat is juffrou Broom se naam?

(What is Miss Broom’s name?)
HILDA
(Hilda)

17. In watter laerskool is Elton en sy vriende?

(Which primary school do Elton and his friends attend?)
LAERSKOOL JAKARANDA
(Jakaranda Primary School)

18. Wat pak juffrou Broom in bokse wanneer graad 7W haar help om die klas op te ruim?
(What does Miss Broom pack in boxes when grade 7W helps her clean the classroom?)
WOORDEBOEKE
(Dictionaries)

19. Wat dink Elton is diktee?

(What does Elton think dictation is?)
ROBOTSTEM MET BAIE KONDENSMELK
(Robot voice with lots of condensed milk)

20. Watter onderwyser is in beheer van entrepreneursdag?

(Which teacher is in charge of Entrepreneurs’ Day?)
MENEER WOLMARANS / WOLLES
(Mr Wolmarans)

21. Wat gaan Dawid by entrepreneursdag verkoop?

(What is Dawid going to sell at Entrepreneurs’ Day?)
LEKKERS WAT JY BY DIE CHINESE MENS GAAN KOOP EN IN PAKKIES GEMAAK.
(Sweets that you buy from the Chinese people and pack into packets.)

22. Wat gaan Elton by entrepreneursdag verkoop?

(What is Elton going to sell at Entrepreneurs’ Day?)
KONDENSMELK IN SPUITNAALDE MET NETJY TIPS OP DIE DOP.
(Condensed milk in syringes with neat little tips on the lids.)

23. Hoe het juffrou Broom haar klaskamer versier?

(How did Miss Broom decorate her classroom?)
DEUR DIE OUTYDSE GOEDERS TE ORANJE EN SY VERF DIE RAME OM DIE SANTEBOERTE BOEKE.
(By removing the outdated things and painting the frames around the textbooks orange.)
24. Wie is op haar senuwees omdat die klaskamer aan Halloween herinner?
(Who is nervous because the classroom reminds her of Halloween?)
ANNEKE
(Anneke)

25. Watter woord in die dikteetoets is vir Elton onmoontlik om te spel?

(Which word in the dictation test is impossible for Elton to spell?)
BEETWARSIE / BOURGEOISIE
(Beetworsie / Bourgeoisie)

26. Wie vererg haarself oor die dikteetoets?

(Who gets annoyed about the dictation test?)
LETOITZIA
(Letitzia)

27. Wie kyk van die boonste verdieping af vir Letitzia terwyl sy juffrou Broom bel?
(Who watches Letitzia from the top floor while she calls Miss Broom?)
JUFFROU BROOM
(Miss Broom)

QUESTIONS PAGE 22 TO 43
1. Wie dra ’n sonbril om weg te steek hoe skaam sy kry dat juffrou Broom haar uitgevang het oor die
selfoonstorietjie?
(Who wears sunglasses to hide how embarrassed she is that Miss Broom caught her out about the
cellphone incident?)
LETOITZIA
(Letitzia)

2. Wat is Gert-Jan se van?

(What is Gert-Jan’s surname?)
STOLTIE
(Stoltie)
3. Watter klasreëls plak juffrou Broom vir Elton in die klas op?
(Which class rules does Miss Broom put up for Elton in the classroom?)
KANON IS DOOD VAN KUIWAS STOOT. PROBEER IS DIE BESTE GEWEER. AANHOUER WEN.
(Kanon is dead from pea pushing. Try is the best gun. Perseverance wins.)

4. Watter klasreëls plak juffrou Broom vir Dawid in die klas op?
(Which class rules does Miss Broom put up for Dawid in the classroom?)
KWINKSLAG, DUBBELSINNIGHEDE, NUUTSKEPPINGS, METAFORE, VERGELYKINGS, IRONIE, SATIRE,
SIMBOOL.
(Wordplay, double meanings, neologisms, metaphors, comparisons, irony, satire, symbol.)

5. Noem drie goed waarmee graad 7W punte vir hul lyne kan verdien.
(Name three things Grade 7W can earn points for.)
JUFFROU BROOM. R1000 KONTANT EN ’N FOTO VAN HOMSELF SAAM MET SY MAATS EN KUNSWERK.
DIT SAL VIR ’N ADVERTENSIE GEBRUIK WORD.
(Miss Broom. R1000 cash and a photo of himself with his classmates and artwork. It will be used for an
advertisement.)

6. Watter bynaam dink Letitzia vir juffrou Broom uit?

(Which nickname does Letitzia come up with for Miss Broom?)
JUFFROU BROM
(Miss Brom)

7. Watter prys kan ’n leerder in Mister Reddy se kompetisie wen?

(What prize can a learner win in Mr Reddy’s competition?)
R1000 KONTANT EN ’N FOTO VAN HOMSELF SAAM MET SY MAATS EN KUNSWERK. DIT SAL VIR ’N
ADVERTENSIE GEBRUIK WORD.
(R1000 cash and a photo of himself with his classmates and artwork. It will be used for an
advertisement.)

8. Wie wil graag die geld in die kompetisie wen?

(Who really wants to win the money in the competition?)
ELTON
(Elton)

9. Waaroor dink Letitzia jok juffrou Broom?

(What does Letitzia think Miss Broom is lying about?)
DAT SY GETROUD IS.
(That she is married.)

10. Wie se bynaam is Skoothond?

(Whose nickname is Lapdog?)
ANNEKE
(Anneke)

11. Watter bynaam gee Elton vir die man wat saam met juffrou Broom gesien word?
(What nickname does Elton give the man who is seen with Miss Broom?)
BAKKIEBOEF
(Bakkiebof)

12. Met wie dink Letitzia het juffrou Broom ’n verhouding?

(With whom does Letitzia think Miss Broom has a relationship?)
WOLLES
(Wolles)

13. Wat is Elton en Dawid se trappe van vergelyking van naar?

(What are Elton and Dawid’s degrees of comparison for gross?)
NAAR, PIENSER, KOTSE
(Gross, grosser, puking)

14. Wie praat telefoontjies met ’n beleggingsadviseur?

(Who makes phone calls with an investment advisor?)
BERYL APRIL / ELTON SE MA
(Beryl April / Elton’s mother)

15. Met watter sprokie vergelyk Elton sy ma se droom om ryk te word uit haar belegging?
(With which fairytale does Elton compare his mother’s dream of getting rich from her investment?)
REPETOESTELTJIE
(Little Repeater / Magic Repeating Device)

16. Wie is Pinocchio Lieg-bek?

(Who is Pinocchio the Liar?)
LETOITZIA
(Letitzia)
17. Hoekom laat juffrou Broom die klas toets skryf oor selfoon-etiket?
(Why does Miss Broom make the class write a test about cellphone etiquette?)
OM WAT LEETIZIA EN ANNEKE IN ’N LES TE LEER. DIT WAS HULLE WAT VIR HAAR DIE ANONIEME SMS
GESTUUR HET WAT VAN KWASAANS VAN WOLLES SE VROU OF MA KOM.
(To teach Letitzia and Anneke a lesson. They were the ones who sent her the anonymous SMS
pretending to be from Wolles’s wife or mother.)

18. Wie kry 87% vir sy toets oor selfoon-etiket?

(Who gets 87% for his cellphone etiquette test?)
ELTON
(Elton)

19. Hou juffrou Broom van persoonlike vrae?

OMKRING: JA / NEE
Hoekom sê jy so?
(Does Miss Broom like personal questions? CIRCLE: YES / NO. Why do you say so?)
NEE. SY ANTWOORD NIE AS GERT-JAN SE VRAAG NIE EN OM TE SÊ OF SY VAN HOM PERSOONLIKE
VRAE NIE, WANT HULLE IS NIE “BFFS” NIE.
(No. She doesn’t answer when Gert-Jan asks her something and says they aren’t “BFFs.”)

Elton April

Elton is die hoofkarakter van die verhaal. Hy is ’n graad 7-leerder by Laerskool Jakaranda en beleef baie
innerlike konflik. Hy is talentvol – goed met rugby, krieket, sing en skryf – maar sy huislike
omstandighede beïnvloed sy gedrag en akademiese prestasie. Sy ma is afwesig en haar keuses
veroorsaak dat Elton dikwels alleen voel, verwaarloos is en in armoede leef. Hy verlang na sy pa in
Oudtshoorn. Sy grootste droom is om beroemd te word, en hy probeer dit bereik deur skryf, musiek en
sport. Hy ervaar ook uiterlike konflik, onder andere met Terry (sy ma se kêrel) en klasmaats soos Gert-
Jan. Elton groei as karakter, begin selfvertroue bou, verbeter sy houding teenoor onderwysers soos
Juffrou Brom en kry uiteindelik 87% vir sy selfoonetiket-toets. Hy is die protagonis van die verhaal.

(Elton is the main character of the story. He is a Grade 7 learner at Jakaranda Primary and experiences
a lot of inner conflict. He is talented – good at rugby, cricket, singing, and writing – but his home
circumstances affect his behaviour and academic performance. His mother is absent, and her choices
often leave Elton feeling neglected and poor. He misses his father in Oudtshoorn. His biggest dream is
to become famous, and he tries to achieve it through writing, music, and sport. He also experiences
external conflict, including with Terry (his mom’s boyfriend) and classmates like Gert-Jan. Elton grows
as a character, gains self-confidence, improves his attitude towards teachers like Miss Brom, and
eventually scores 87% on his cellphone etiquette test. He is the protagonist of the story.)
Juffrou Hilda Broom (Juffrou Brom)

Juffrou Broom is die nuwe Afrikaanse onderwyser van graad 7W. Sy kom aanvanklik streng en vreemd
voor, met haar ringe, besem, en geheimsinnige persoonlikheid. Aanvanklik is daar skinderstories oor
haar, insluitend dat sy ’n heks is en ’n verhouding het met meneer Wolmarans. Sy hanteer leerders soos
Letitzia professioneel, ten spyte van hulle onbeskofte gedrag. Sy het ’n unieke manier van onderrig –
soos punte vir klasreëls en aktiewe deelname – en sy inspireer Elton om sy eie storie te begin skryf. Haar
karakter wys emosionele diepte wanneer sy huil in die parkeerterrein en ons leer dat Elton se oordeel
oor haar verkeerd was. Uiteindelik is sy ook ’n slagoffer van skinderstories en verwerping, maar sy speel
’n groot rol in Elton se karakterontwikkeling.

(Miss Broom is the new Afrikaans teacher of Grade 7W. She initially appears strict and strange, with
her rings, broom, and mysterious personality. There are rumours about her, including that she is a
witch and in a relationship with Mr Wolmarans. She handles learners like Letitzia professionally
despite their rude behaviour. She has a unique way of teaching – such as points for class rules and
active participation – and she inspires Elton to begin writing his own story. Her character shows
emotional depth when she cries in the parking lot, and we learn that Elton’s judgment of her was
wrong. In the end, she is also a victim of gossip and rejection, but she plays a big role in Elton’s
character development.)

Terry

Terry is Elton se ma se kêrel en dien as een van die antagoniste. Hy is selfgesentreerd, beloftes maak
sonder om dit na te kom, en tree neerhalend op teenoor Elton. Hy is ’n beleggingsadviseur, maar Elton
vertrou hom nie – en met reg: Terry veroorsaak konflik tussen hom en Elton se ma. Die spanning tussen
Elton en Terry bereik ’n klimaks wanneer Elton voel dat hy moet kies tussen sy ma en Terry. Terry word
metafories beskryf as “’n kriek in die koffie”, en hy simboliseer iets wat ’n goeie situasie bederf.

(Terry is Elton’s mother’s boyfriend and serves as one of the antagonists. He is self-centred, makes
promises he doesn’t keep, and treats Elton disrespectfully. He is an investment advisor, but Elton
doesn’t trust him – and rightly so: Terry causes conflict between him and his mother. The tension
between Elton and Terry reaches a climax when Elton feels he must choose between his mom and
Terry. Terry is metaphorically described as “a cricket in the coffee” and symbolizes something that
spoils a good situation.)

Letitzia Kotte

Letitzia is die hoofmeisie van Laerskool Jakaranda. Sy is aanvanklik die antagonist van Juffrou Broom en
Elton. Sy is bisar, sarkasties en manipulerend – sy versprei skinderstories oor Juffrou Broom en beledig
leerders soos Elton en Dawid. Haar bynaam is “Titz”, wat dui op haar oordrewe persoonlikheid. Sy
verbeel haar sy is ’n soort skoolkoningin en beïnvloed Anneke en Gert-Jan. Later leer sy egter ’n les
wanneer Juffrou Brom haar tereg wys en Elton bo haar uitblink.
(Letitzia is the head girl of Jakaranda Primary. She is initially the antagonist of Miss Broom and Elton.
She is bizarre, sarcastic, and manipulative – she spreads rumours about Miss Broom and insults
learners like Elton and Dawid. Her nickname is “Titz”, indicating her exaggerated personality. She
imagines herself as a school queen and influences Anneke and Gert-Jan. Later, however, she learns a
lesson when Miss Brom puts her in her place and Elton outshines her.)

Anneke

Anneke is Letitzia se beste vriendin. Sy help Letitzia om Juffrou Broom te bespied en naam te gee, en is
betrokke by die anonieme SMS wat na Juffrou Brom gestuur word. Sy is nie so uitgesproke soos Letitzia
nie, maar speel steeds ’n negatiewe rol in die begin. Teen die einde van die verhaal is sy minder
prominent en word haar rol as antagonist afgewater.

(Anneke is Letitzia’s best friend. She helps Letitzia spy on Miss Broom and name her, and is involved in
sending the anonymous SMS to Miss Broom. She’s not as outspoken as Letitzia but still plays a
negative role early on. By the end of the story, her role as antagonist becomes less prominent.)

Gert-Jan Stoltie

Gert-Jan is een van Elton se klasmaats. Hy word beskryf as neerhalend, hou daarvan om Elton en Dawid
te terg, en is medepligtig in die skinderstories en anonieme boodskappe. Hy is ’n minder ernstige
antagonist, maar sy dade het steeds negatiewe gevolge vir Elton. Hy word uiteindelik ook stilgemaak
deur Elton en Lesedi.

(Gert-Jan is one of Elton’s classmates. He is described as condescending, enjoys teasing Elton and
Dawid, and is complicit in the gossip and anonymous messages. He’s a less serious antagonist but his
actions still have negative effects on Elton. Eventually, he is also put in his place by Elton and Lesedi.)

Dawid Bekker

Dawid is Elton se beste vriend. Hy stotter en is daarom die teiken van spot, maar is lojaal en
ondersteunend. Hy het ’n hegte verhouding met Elton en deel sy geheime. Hy word vergelyk met
Jonatan uit die Bybel – ’n ware vriend wat Elton deurentyd ondersteun. Hy help Elton met
Entrepreneursdag en skryf saam met hom die geheime sêgoedboek.

(Dawid is Elton’s best friend. He stutters and is therefore a target of teasing, but he is loyal and
supportive. He has a close bond with Elton and shares his secrets. He is compared to Jonathan from
the Bible – a true friend who supports Elton throughout. He helps Elton on Entrepreneurs’ Day and co-
writes the secret quote book.)

Elton se Ma (Beryl April)

Elton se ma is afwesig en onverantwoordelik. Sy werk glo nagskofte, maar Elton vermoed dat sy tyd
saam met kêrels soos Terry deurbring. Sy sorg nie behoorlik vir Elton nie – hy gaan soms honger en koud
slaap. Sy belofte om hom ryk te maak deur Terry se beleggingsdrome laat Elton hoopvol voel, maar
uiteindelik word dit duidelik dat sy haar prioriteite verkeerd plaas. Sy is onbetroubaar en emosioneel
afwesig, en speel dus ’n belangrike rol in Elton se innerlike konflik.

(Elton’s mom is absent and irresponsible. She claims to work night shifts, but Elton suspects she
spends time with boyfriends like Terry. She does not care properly for Elton – he sometimes sleeps
hungry and cold. Her promise to make him rich through Terry’s investment dreams makes Elton
hopeful, but eventually it becomes clear that her priorities are wrong. She is unreliable and
emotionally absent, and thus plays an important role in Elton’s inner conflict.)

Meneer Wolmarans (Wolles)

Meneer Wolmarans is die registeronderwyser van Elton en juffrou Broom se vriend. Hy ondersteun
haar na die voorvalle met Letitzia en Bakkiebof, en is ’n stem van rede en kalmte in die verhaal. Hy speel
nie ’n groot rol nie, maar verteenwoordig ’n positiewe volwasse figuur en dra by tot die herstel van
Juffrou Broom se reputasie.

(Mr Wolmarans is Elton’s homeroom teacher and a friend of Miss Broom. He supports her after the
incidents with Letitzia and Bakkiebof, and is a voice of reason and calm in the story. He doesn’t play a
major role but represents a positive adult figure and contributes to restoring Miss Broom’s
reputation.)