Afrikaans often uses the simple present where English might use either:
So Die reeks begin vandag can naturally mean:
Afrikaans usually does not need a separate progressive form like English is beginning in a basic sentence like this.
That is a very normal word order in Afrikaans.
The basic structure here is:
So the sentence follows a straightforward pattern:
Subject + Verb + Time
That said, Afrikaans is flexible, and you could also say:
When a time word like vandag comes first, the verb usually comes immediately after it. That is a very important Afrikaans word-order rule.
Yes, absolutely.
Both are correct:
The difference is mainly emphasis:
In Afrikaans, when something other than the subject comes first, the verb usually moves into second position. That is why it is Vandag begin die reeks, not Vandag die reeks begin.
A rough pronunciation guide for an English speaker is:
A few notes:
Pronunciation varies by region and speaker, but that will get you close.
Yes, it can.
Depending on context, reeks can refer to a series, including a TV series. If the learner saw this sentence in a media or entertainment context, The series starts today would be a very natural translation.
But outside that context, it could also mean a sequence or set of things. Context tells you which meaning is intended.
Yes. It is in the present tense.
But just like in English, a present-tense sentence can refer to the future when talking about schedules or planned events.
So Die reeks begin vandag is grammatically present tense, but in meaning it can refer to something that starts later today.
That is very normal in both Afrikaans and English.