African Story Magic with Gcina Mhlophe

The sixth episode of ‘African Story Magic with Gcina Mhlophe’ is a very special story. It’s written by Dr Gcina Mhlophe herself to honour her great-grandmother, Nozincwadi, who – while unable to read or write – loved the magic of words. "I have loved stories and books from a very young age. My childhood was filled with amazing characters, songs, and magical places. I remember the joy and wonder that filled my heart when I heard a good story. Those family times still linger inside me; they give me the courage to keep on sharing old folk tales and newly created stories with my audiences,” says Dr Gcina Mhlophe. “So, I humbly ask them to go back in time and rekindle the spirit of my great-grandmother Nozincwadi, who couldn't read or write. But she collected anything with words on it, believing that someday she would be able to read. I'm told that she often said, 'There is magic in these words; one day they will speak to me.' “Sadly, she died without ever reading a single one of those books. As a storyteller, I developed a strong desire to share the story of her life but took it further. In my retelling, I took Nozincwadi to an Adult Learning Centre where she finally learned to read and write. “What a triumph! “Since 2001, while telling this story, I have felt like a medium tasked with the responsibility to go out there and plant the seeds of curiosity and hunger. Yes, hunger to learn, learn, and never stop learning. This story has been told to so many audiences, published in a book, and recorded on CD as the aptly named NOZINCWADI Mother of Books Literacy Campaign. Through this roadshow, we have traveled to all nine provinces of our beautiful country and donated thousands of books in my great-grandmother's name, Nozincwadi! “Now, on this amazing platform of East Coast Radio, we are able to reach even more story lovers – young and old. Hoping to fill their hearts with wonder.” *** This podcast series is a proud collaboration between Gcina Mhlophe and East Coast Radio. *** Production Engineer: Lango Cele

In a world that often values talkativeness and showy displays of knowledge, this timeless story of the tortoise who won respect serves as a powerful reminder of the untapped potential of those who may be overlooked or underestimated. “One thing I appreciate about the story of ‘How the Tortoise Won Respect’ is its message about how we often underestimate others who don't speak much, or who may not seem particularly knowledgeable or clever. However, when faced with difficult challenges and when others have run out of ideas, it's often these seemingly overlooked individuals who can offer valuable insight and solutions that were right in front of us all along,” says Dr Mhlophe. “I love how the tortoise in the story ultimately earned respect and saved everyone by tapping into her strengths and resourcefulness. It serves as a reminder to not judge others based on surface-level traits and to always remain open to hearing different perspectives and ideas, no matter who they come from.” *** This podcast series is a proud collaboration between Gcina Mhlophe and East Coast Radio. *** (Production Engineer: Lango Cele. Executive Producer: Diane Macpherson)

In a world that often values talkativeness and showy displays of knowledge, this timeless story of the tortoise who won respect serves as a powerful reminder of the untapped potential of those who may be overlooked or underestimated. “One thing I appreciate about the story of ‘How the Tortoise Won Respect’ is its message about how we often underestimate others who don't speak much, or who may not seem particularly knowledgeable or clever. However, when faced with difficult challenges and when others have run out of ideas, it's often these seemingly overlooked individuals who can offer valuable insight and solutions that were right in front of us all along,” says Dr Mhlophe. “I love how the tortoise in the story ultimately earned respect and saved everyone by tapping into her strengths and resourcefulness. It serves as a reminder to not judge others based on surface-level traits and to always remain open to hearing different perspectives and ideas, no matter who they come from.” *** This podcast series is a proud collaboration between Gcina Mhlophe and East Coast Radio. *** Production Engineer: Lango Cele(Production Engineer: Lango Cele. Executive Producer: Diane Macpherson)

Unlock the magic of ‘Lungile, The Most Beautiful Girl’: an inspiring story of patience and self-discovery by Gcina Mhlophe. It’s the much-anticipated fourth episode of ‘African Story Magic with Gcina Mhlophe’, available in English and isiZulu. “This is a story I have loved for many years. For me, it has been a joy to tell to both young and adult audiences alike, experiencing a magical connection each time. It is about having a sense of being different from others, learning to accept it, and following one’s own path,” says Dr Mhlophe. “Patience and self-discovery are part of what makes Lungile so unique, not just her beauty that everyone talks about, but also her strength of character. Her spiritual connection with birds is often ridiculed by her peers, but despite this, she lets her dreams fly high. “When she chooses to join the old women in the big round hut to learn their skills, poems, and songs, it makes Lungile more special than anyone ever imagined. Then comes the designing of her wedding dress, an exquisite labour of love by the old women. “That is what propels me to tell this story again and again. I feel like I am one of those elders contributing to the sewing of South Africa's wedding dress. Bringing together our unique talents, skills, and experiences, we become true nation builders,” says Dr Mhlophe. (Production Engineer: Lango Cele. Executive Producer: Diane Macpherson)

Unlock the magic of ‘Lungile, The Most Beautiful Girl’: an inspiring story of patience and self-discovery by Gcina Mhlophe. It’s the much-anticipated fourth episode of ‘African Story Magic with Gcina Mhlophe’, available in English and isiZulu. “This is a story I have loved for many years. For me, it has been a joy to tell to both young and adult audiences alike, experiencing a magical connection each time. It is about having a sense of being different from others, learning to accept it, and following one’s own path,” says Dr Mhlophe. “Patience and self-discovery are part of what makes Lungile so unique, not just her beauty that everyone talks about, but also her strength of character. Her spiritual connection with birds is often ridiculed by her peers, but despite this, she lets her dreams fly high. “When she chooses to join the old women in the big round hut to learn their skills, poems, and songs, it makes Lungile more special than anyone ever imagined. Then comes the designing of her wedding dress, an exquisite labour of love by the old women. “That is what propels me to tell this story again and again. I feel like I am one of those elders contributing to the sewing of South Africa's wedding dress. Bringing together our unique talents, skills, and experiences, we become true nation builders,” says Dr Mhlophe. (Production Engineer: Lango Cele. Executive Producer: Diane Macpherson)

In the latest episode of ‘African Story Magic with Gcina Mhlophe’, we’re transported to the mighty Ngwenya River in KwaZulu-Natal. It’s a tale that captivated Dr Mhlophe as a child when her grandmother used to tell it to her -- the classic story of a young crocodile and a monkey. She explains: "This has been one of my favourite stories from childhood. The big Ngwenya River was teeming with crocodiles. In my imagination, they were massive and more deadly than any other creature. They seemed to have no enemies and could pick and choose what meat they liked to eat. "I had never seen one, but I was terrified just to hear about them. And then the naughty little monkey decided to make friends with this creature! That was beyond me… But then again, I was relieved when it all worked out fine in the end. "My grandmother told it so well you could swear she had been there in real life to see it all happen! "Now, can you imagine my surprise when other people told me that this story was told in their country too? In Zambia, Mozambique, Singapore, the Philippines, India - they insisted this story originated in their native land. I told them, "No, this story is definitely from KwaZulu-Natal!" "We playfully argued with other storytellers at various international storytelling festivals. So today, I am truly happy to share this story with so many homes the world over. And also, it reminds me that we must always put our heart into all that we do. "Let's all celebrate the magical universality of a well-told story. "Remember the famous saying: It is the heart that separates good from the great!" (Production Engineer: Lungile Dhlamini. Executive Producer: Diane Macpherson) More about Dr Gcina Mhlophe: Dr Gcina Mhlophe is a renowned author, storyteller and founding director of Gcinamasiko Arts & Heritage Trust. Her works have been translated into multiple languages, including Braille, and her theatre plays have been directed in the USA, UK, and Greenland. She has been awarded honorary doctorates from seven universities globally and has received numerous accolades, such as the SAMA, OBBIE, and Joseph Jefferson Awards, as well as the SAFTA Lifetime Achievement award. Her birthday on 24th October is recognised as National Storytelling Day in South Africa since 2019, inaugurated at her adopted performance space, The Storytelling Tree, in Durban (RSA). Find more East Coast Radio Podcasts at https://www.ecr.co.za/podcasts/

In the latest episode of ‘African Story Magic with Gcina Mhlophe’, we’re transported to the mighty Ngwenya River in KwaZulu-Natal. It’s a tale that captivated Dr Mhlophe as a child when her grandmother used to tell it to her -- the classic story of a young crocodile and a monkey. Gcina Mhlophe explains: "This has been one of my favourite stories from childhood. The big Ngwenya River was teeming with crocodiles. In my imagination, they were massive and more deadly than any other creature. They seemed to have no enemies and could pick and choose what meat they liked to eat. "I had never seen one, but I was terrified just to hear about them. And then the naughty little monkey decided to make friends with this creature! That was beyond me… But then again, I was relieved when it all worked out fine in the end. "My grandmother told it so well you could swear she had been there in real life to see it all happen! "Now, can you imagine my surprise when other people told me that this story was told in their country too? In Zambia, Mozambique, Singapore, the Philippines, India - they insisted this story originated in their native land. I told them, "No, this story is definitely from KwaZulu-Natal!" "We playfully argued with other storytellers at various international storytelling festivals. So today, I am truly happy to share this story with so many homes the world over. And also, it reminds me that we must always put our heart into all that we do. "Let's all celebrate the magical universality of a well-told story. "Remember the famous saying: It is the heart that separates good from the great!" (Production Engineer: Lungile Dhlamini. Executive Producer: Diane Macpherson) More about Dr Gcina Mhlophe: Dr Gcina Mhlophe is a renowned author, storyteller and founding director of Gcinamasiko Arts & Heritage Trust. Her works have been translated into multiple languages, including Braille, and her theatre plays have been directed in the USA, UK, and Greenland. She has been awarded honorary doctorates from seven universities globally and has received numerous accolades, such as the SAMA, OBBIE, and Joseph Jefferson Awards, as well as the SAFTA Lifetime Achievement award. Her birthday on 24th October is recognised as National Storytelling Day in South Africa since 2019, inaugurated at her adopted performance space, The Storytelling Tree, in Durban (RSA). Find more East Coast Radio Podcasts at https://www.ecr.co.za/podcasts/

In episode two of African Story Magic with Gcina Mhlophe, our award-winning storyteller shares one of the most popular stories she’s told over the decades: ‘Jabulani and the Lion’. Gcina Mhlophe explains: “One of the best memories of our childhood is the time when we ran around feeling so carefree. The hours were long, and the birds of heaven sang happy songs for us as we played our favourite games with friends. Sometimes, it was great to be alone and have some of our own adventures too. “Through these stories of long ago, we get to experience humans and animals speaking each other's languages. “In this story, ‘Jabulani and the Lion’, Jabulani was a herd boy who loved to take care of his father's cattle. He played many fun games with his friends. But wintertime was his best time of the year. It was on one such winter’s day when Jabulani got to meet Lion, the king of the beasts himself! “Shock and fear soon gave way to a sense of adventure. Lion promised to be his best friend and the innocent young herd boy believed him, not realising he was putting his life in grave danger. “The different animals they met all had something to say about their sad experiences with human beings. Jabulani feared that he would die on that day, that he would never see his mother again. “It is one of the most popular stories I’ve told over the years. It’s also been dramatised by many school learners.” (Production Engineer: Lango Cele. Executive Producer: Diane Macpherson)

In episode two of African Story Magic with Gcina Mhlophe, our award-winning storyteller shares one of the most popular stories she’s told over the decades: ‘UJabulani neBhubesi’. Gcina Mhlophe explains: “One of the best memories of our childhood is the time when we ran around feeling so carefree. The hours were long, and the birds of heaven sang happy songs for us as we played our favourite games with friends. Sometimes, it was great to be alone and have some of our own adventures too. “Through these stories of long ago, we get to experience humans and animals speaking each other's languages. “In this story, ‘UJabulani neBhubesi’, Jabulani was a herd boy who loved to take care of his father's cattle. He played many fun games with his friends. But wintertime was his best time of the year. It was on one such winter’s day when Jabulani got to meet Lion, the king of the beasts himself! “Shock and fear soon gave way to a sense of adventure. Lion promised to be his best friend and the innocent young herd boy believed him, not realising he was putting his life in grave danger. “The different animals they met all had something to say about their sad experiences with human beings. Jabulani feared that he would die on that day, that he would never see his mother again. “It is one of the most popular stories I’ve told over the years. It’s also been dramatised by many school learners.” (Production Engineer: Lango Cele. Executive Producer: Diane Macpherson)

The story of Mazanendaba, the woman who went to the bottom of the ocean to find stories from the spirit people, simply had to be our first one in this special podcast series. Mazanendaba returned with a whole treasure chest of tales, and that is precisely what we wish to share with our audience through this podcast. It is an honour to reconnect with our fellow story-loving people in this beautiful country. No story lives unless someone wants to listen. Thank you to our listeners! (Production Engineer: Lango Cele. Executive Producer: Diane Macpherson)

The story of Mazanendaba, the woman who went to the bottom of the ocean to find stories from the spirit people, simply had to be our first one in this special podcast series. Mazanendaba returned with a whole treasure chest of tales, and that is precisely what we wish to share with our audience through this podcast. It is an honour to reconnect with our fellow story-loving people in this beautiful country. No story lives unless someone wants to listen. Thank you to our listeners! (Production Engineer: Lango Cele. Executive Producer: Diane Macpherson)

Embark on a journey into the enchanting world of African storytelling with the award-winning Gcina Mhlophe. African Story Magic with Gcina Mhlophe launches 1 March 2023. *** This podcast series is a proud collaboration between Gcina Mhlophe and East Coast Radio. ***