Step into the wonderful world of African storytelling with Gcina Mhlophe. In the multi-award-winning African Story Magic with Gcina Mhlophe, Gcina shares many o...
Gcina Mhlophe brings to life the heartwarming tale of a young herd boy with a big dream — to go to school and church like the other kids in his village. But his father has other plans, insisting he stay home to look after the cattle. Refusing to give up, the boy starts learning the alphabet with the help of a friend.
One day, he prays to God in a way that’s unique to him — by reciting the alphabet out loud. A passing man hears this heartfelt “prayer” and is so moved that he steps in to speak to the boy’s parents. His plea works, and the boy finally gets to attend school.
With a mix of hard work and determination, the boy thrives in his studies and finds a way to balance his education with his family responsibilities. It’s a touching story about perseverance, faith, and how small acts of kindness can change a life.
Listen to this episode now in English or isiZulu
Credits:
Voice of the young boy: Bandile Gumede
Voice of the young boy's father: Asanda Qumbisa
Voice of young boy's mother: Ellaine Phungula
Voice of Priest: Msizi Maphumulo
Voices of church ladies: Ellaine Phungula, Khumbu Mkhulisi, Thobekile Honono,
Production Team:
Production engineer: Lango Cele
Production assistant: Ntsikelelo Khanyile
Executive producer: Diane Macpherson ECR website channel page
Celebrate the holidays with African Mother Christmas, a truly local story from African Story Magic with Gcina Mhlophe.
Set against the scenic backdrop of the Valley of a Thousand Hills, near Hillcrest outside Durban, this uplifting story reflects the hot KZN summers, the end of the school year, and the excitement of Christmas festivities.
Thando and Buntu love the long summer days swimming in the river and taking the train to Durban for Christmas shopping—a cherished tradition and the only time they get new clothes.
But this Christmas holds a magical surprise, as African Mother Christmas brings joy and wonder to the valley in a way no one could expect.
“This special story was inspired by our own African way of life in the not-so-distant past, where we celebrated the end of harvest in late August, and September was our New Year in the African calendar. We would be giving thanks for the richness and fertility of our land,” says Gcina Mhlophe.
Listen to this episode now in English or isiZulu and share this special festive story with your family!
Episode 3 Credits:
Author and Storyteller: Gcina Mhlophe
Voice of Thando: Snovuyo Ntuli
Voice of Thando's Father & Rickshaw man: Sky Tshabalala
Voice of Father Christmas: Darren Maule
Voice of Durban store owner: Carmen Reddy
Production Team:
Production Engineer: Lango Cele
Production Assistant: Ntsikelelo Khanyile
Executive Producer: Diane Macpherson ECR website channel page
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12:00
UMama uMasoKhisimusi wase Afrika (S2 Epi3 in isiZulu)
‘Sisanda's Gift’ is about a young girl named Sisanda who lives near a game reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, where both her parents work. When Sisanda hears about a young giraffe calf that has lost its mother, she’s heartbroken. Her parents, understanding her sadness, allow her to visit the calf. Sisanda brings a special gift from her school bag—a beloved book. She sits with the baby giraffe and reads to it, and the young calf listens as if it understands every word. This becomes a daily routine for Sisanda, who is often accompanied by her grandfather. Her gentle connection with the giraffe captivates even tourists, who take pictures, amazed by the unique bond they witness. The story explores themes of compassion, healing, and the power of empathy. Sisanda’s act of kindness toward the orphaned giraffe demonstrates how small gestures can make a big difference, while also showing the beauty of human-animal connections.
Please listen to the end for the bonus content from Dr Mhlophe, who explains why she enjoys this story so much.
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Credits:
Storyteller: Gcina Mhlophe
Voice of Sisanda: Nqobile Ntuli
Voice of Sisanda’s Grandfather: Hopewell Mncwangi
Voice of Sisanda’s Father: Langalethu Cele
Voice of Sisanda's Mother: Pinky Ntuli
Production Team:
Production Engineer: Lango Cele
Production Assistant: Ntsikelelo Khanyile
Executive Producer: Diane Macpherson
#AfricanStoryMagic ECR website channel page
Step into the wonderful world of African storytelling with Gcina Mhlophe. In the multi-award-winning African Story Magic with Gcina Mhlophe, Gcina shares many of the tales you grew up with plus new stories – so we can keep the magic of African storytelling alive for new generations.
Season 2 of African Story Magic is proudly brought to you by McDonalds Happy Meal Readers. Listen to each episode in either English or isiZulu and let's keep the storytelling magic alive!
This podcast series is a proud collaboration between Gcina Mhlophe and East Coast Radio.
#AfricanStoryMagic #GcinaMhlophe #Podcasts
Accolades for African Story Magic:
Winner of Podcast of the Year at the 2024 DStv Content Creator Awards
Silver winner at the 2024 New Generation Awards
Bronze winner at the 2024 Bookmark Awards
Honourable Mention for Excellence in Podcasting at the 2023 DStv Content Creator Awards
Best in Fiction at the 2023 APVA Awards
More about Dr Gcina Mhlophe:
Dr Gcina Mhlophe is a celebrated author, storyteller, and founding director of the Gcinamasiko Arts & Heritage Trust. Her works have been translated into multiple languages, including all official South African languages and even Braille. Dr Mhlophe has directed her theatrical plays in the USA, UK, and Greenland, with her most renowned and studied work being "Have You Seen Zandile?" She has been awarded honorary doctorates from eight universities globally and has received numerous accolades, such as the SAMA, OBBIE, and Joseph Jefferson Awards, as well as the SAFTA Lifetime Achievement award for her acting and contributions to film in South Africa. As a leading figure in South African storytelling, her birthday, October 24th, has been designated National Storytelling Day since 2019, celebrated at her own venue, The Storytelling Tree, in Durban.
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