Die syfer is op die beheerpaneel.

Because Afrikaans uses die as the definite article for both singular and plural nouns, and for all genders.

So in this sentence:

• die syfer = the digit / the figure / the number
• die beheerpaneel = the control panel

Unlike English, Afrikaans does not switch between forms like the for singular and plural, and unlike languages such as German, it does not change for grammatical gender in this basic way.

Syfer usually means digit, numeral, or sometimes figure depending on context.

In many situations:

• syfer = a single digit or written number symbol
• getal = a number as a mathematical value

So if the sentence refers to something shown on a display or panel, syfer is very natural for digit or numeral.

Afrikaans uses is as the present tense of to be for all persons:

• Ek is = I am
• Jy is = you are
• Hy/Sy is = he/she is
• Ons is = we are
• Hulle is = they are

So Afrikaans does not change the verb the way English does with am / is / are. In this sentence, is simply means is.

Op usually means on or on top of, and sometimes at depending on context.

Here:

• op die beheerpaneel = on the control panel

It is a very common preposition. A learner should remember that prepositions do not always match English one-to-one, but in this sentence op corresponds neatly to on.

This is a simple main clause, and Afrikaans often looks quite similar to English in basic statements:

• Die syfer = subject
• is = verb
• op die beheerpaneel = prepositional phrase

So the structure is:

Subject + verb + place

That said, Afrikaans word order becomes more noticeably different in subordinate clauses and with some adverbs or separable verbs.

Yes. Afrikaans very often writes compound nouns as one word.

So:

• beheer = control
• paneel = panel
• beheerpaneel = control panel

This is very common in Afrikaans and also happens a lot in Dutch and German. English often writes similar ideas as two words, where Afrikaans prefers one compound.

A rough guide is:

be-HEER-pa-neel

Some helpful notes:

• beheer sounds roughly like buh-HEER
• paneel sounds roughly like pa-NEEL
• the stress is usually strongest on the main parts of the compound

A very approximate English-friendly pronunciation would be buh-HEER-pah-NEEL, though exact sounds depend on accent.

Yes, depending on meaning.

Possible alternatives:

• nommer = number, especially a label, code, or identifying number
• getal = number in a mathematical sense
• cijfer/syfer-type meaning = digit, numeral, figure

So if the idea is that a single numeral appears on a panel, syfer is a good choice. If you mean something like the number is on the panel, nommer or getal might sometimes be more appropriate depending on context.

Because Afrikaans does not change the article die after a preposition in this kind of sentence.

So:

• die beheerpaneel = the control panel
• op die beheerpaneel = on the control panel

The article stays die. This is simpler than in some other languages where articles change form after prepositions or according to case.

Yes, possibly. Syfer can sometimes be translated as figure, but digit or numeral is often more precise.

The best translation depends on context:

• if it is a displayed number symbol, digit may be best
• if it is a numerical value more generally, figure may work
• if it is one number among others on a panel, number may sometimes sound natural in English

So the Afrikaans word can overlap with several English choices.

Yes. That sentence means:

There is a digit on the control panel.

Compare:

• Die syfer is op die beheerpaneel = The digit is on the control panel.
  This points to a specific digit already known in the conversation.
• Daar is ’n syfer op die beheerpaneel = There is a digit on the control panel.
  This introduces the existence of a digit rather than identifying a specific one.

So the original sentence is more definite and specific.