In episode one of the brand-new season of African Story Magic with Gcina Mhlophe, we journey to a rural KwaZulu-Natal village where young Themba dreams of becoming a great hunter, like others in the village. But his true gift lies in creating beautiful portraits and paintings. While the villagers admire his artistic talent, they laugh at his dream of hunting, leaving him feeling inadequate. However, inspired one evening by a stunning sunset, Themba embarks on a journey of self-acceptance that...

In episode one of the brand-new season of African Story Magic with Gcina Mhlophe, we journey to a rural KwaZulu-Natal village where young Themba dreams of becoming a great hunter, like others in the village. But his true gift lies in creating beautiful portraits and paintings. While the villagers admire his artistic talent, they laugh at his dream of hunting, leaving him feeling inadequate. However, inspired one evening by a stunning sunset, Themba embarks on a journey of self-acceptance that...

Season 2 of the award-winning African Story Magic with Gcina Mhlophe launches on November 13, 2024, bringing you six enchanting new stories in both English and isiZulu! Listen to the first episode, Sunset Colours, and dive into the magic of African storytelling. Proudly brought to you by McDonald's Happy Meal Readers, each episode in this family-friendly podcast celebrates culture, creativity, and the joy of stories. Don’t miss the return of this beloved series—perfect for all ages!

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....

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....

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...

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...

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...

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. ***