Long ago, all the animals in the land were the same dull brown colour. They lived in harmony, respecting one another. Among them was a wise and magical Queen Mother Tortoise, loved by all and known as Fudukazi. One fateful day, Fudukazi decided to share her special gift. With her gentle singing voice, she turned an ordinary summer’s day into an enchanted, joyful one. As each creature closed their eyes and made a wish, something incredible happened. By sunset, the name of the wise old Queen Mothe...
Feb 05, 2025•15 min0
Kudala, zonke izilwane ezazihlala emhlabeni zazinemibala efanayo ensundu engathi ayinampilo. Zaziphila ngokuthula, zihloniphana. Phakathi kwazo kwakukhona unina wazo ohlakaniphile futhi onobugugu, iNdlovukazi uFudukazi, othandwa yizo zonke izidalwa. Ngelinye ilanga elibalulekile, uFudukazi wanquma ukwabelana ngesipho sakhe esiyigugu. Ngezwi lakhe elithambile, waguqula usuku olujwayelekile lwasehlobo lwaba usuku olugcwele umlingo nenjabulo. Njengoba isilwane ngasinye savala amehlo senza isifiso, ...
Feb 05, 2025•15 min0
This is a story about a lonely chameleon who lived on a riverbank a long time ago. All the other river animals shunned him. They mocked and disliked him, calling him ugly and a disgrace. The chameleon always tried to hide and be alone, away from all those who hated him. But one day, a big change came into his life, all because of his special talent: the gift of music. On that day, he was playing a small instrument called the imbengwe and singing with his beautiful voice! Before he knew it, all t...
Jan 22, 2025•12 min0
Lena indaba yonwabu oluhlala lodwa osebeni lomfula kudala. Zonke ezinye izilwane zasemfuleni zazimgwema. Bemubhuqa, bengamthandi, bembiza ngomubiza nehlazo. Unwabu njalo wayezama ukucasha futhi abe yedwa, kude nabo bonke ababemzonda. Kodwa ngolunye usuku, kwafika ushintsho olukhulu ekuphileni kwakhe, konke ngenxa yethalente lakhe elikhethekile: isipho somculo. Ngalolo suku wayeshaya insimbi encane ebizwa ngokuthi imbengwe futhi ecula ngezwi lakhe elimnandi! Ngaphambi kokuba azi, zonke ezinye izi...
Jan 22, 2025•15 min0
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 ...
Jan 08, 2025•9 min0
UGcina Mhlophe uveza indaba ethinta inhliziyo yomfana omncane ongumalusi onephupho elikhulu — ukuya esikoleni nasesontweni njengezinye izingane zasendaweni yakubo. Kodwa uyise unamanye amacebo, uthi akasale ekhaya elusa izinkomo. Enqaba ukuyeka, umfana uqala ukufunda izinhlamvu ngosizo lomngane. Ngolunye usuku, uthandaza kuNkulunkulu ngendlela ehlukile kuye—ngokuphindaphinda izinhlamvu zamagama ngokuzwakalayo. Indoda edlulayo izwa lo “mthandazo” osuka enhliziyweni futhi ithinteka kangangokuthi i...
Jan 08, 2025•7 min0
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 ...
Dec 11, 2024•12 min0
Gubha amaholide ngo-Mama uMasoKhisimusi wase Afrika, indaba yasendaweni ngempela evela ku-African Story Magic noGcina Mhlophe. Njengoba ibhekene nesizinda se-Valley of a Thousand Hills, eduze kwase-Hillcrest ngaphandle kweTheku, le ndaba eyakhayo ikhombisa ukushisa kwehlobo lase-KZN, ukuphela konyaka wesikole, kanye nesasasa lemikhosi kaKhisimusi. UThando noBuntu bayazithanda izinsuku zasehlobo ezinde bebhukuda emfuleni futhi bagibele isitimela esiya eThekwini ukuyothenga ngoKhisimusi—isiko elit...
Dec 11, 2024•14 min0
‘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 Sis...
Nov 27, 2024•9 min0
‘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 Sis...
Nov 27, 2024•12 min0
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 tr...
Nov 13, 2024•15 min0
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 tr...
Nov 13, 2024•14 min0
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! ECR website ...
Nov 12, 2024•36 sec0
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 m...
May 17, 2023•10 min0
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 m...
May 17, 2023•12 min0
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 ot...
May 03, 2023•10 min0
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 ot...
May 03, 2023•11 min0
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 foll...
Apr 19, 2023•11 min0
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 foll...
Apr 18, 2023•15 min0
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 se...
Mar 29, 2023•14 min0
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 ha...
Mar 29, 2023•13 min0
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 ...
Mar 15, 2023•11 min0
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. “Throug...
Mar 15, 2023•9 min0
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 Eng...
Mar 01, 2023•15 min0
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 Eng...
Mar 01, 2023•10 min0
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. *** More about Gcina Mhlophe · ECR website channel page
Feb 28, 2023•30 sec0
