African Story Magic with Gcina Mhlophe

About African Story Magic with Gcina Mhlophe

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. • Follow the podcast or listen via the ECR website under Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts!

Publisher

East Coast Radio Podcasts

Category

arts · kids & family

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

28 Feb 2023

Latest episode

5 Feb 2025

Latest episodes

26 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   5 Feb 2025

   Fudukazi’s Magic (S2 Epi6 in English)

   Gcina Mhlophe narrates the enchanting tale of Fudukazi, a wise tortoise who gifts vibrant colors and unique identities to the animals, leaving a legacy celebrated through generations of storytelling.

2. 

   5 Feb 2025

   Umlingo kaFudukazi (S2 Epi6 in isiZulu)

   Gcina Mhlophe narrates a captivating isiZulu story, "Umlingo kaFudukazi," where Queen Fudukazi bestows a magical gift upon the animals, transforming their dull brown world into one filled with vibrant colors and joy in this interview episode.

3. 

   22 Jan 2025

   The Singing Chameleon (S2 Epi5 in English)

   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 the other animals had gathered around him to listen to his special performance. That was the day he received acceptance and respect for the very first time. His music gave him a sense of identity—he became known as the Singing Chameleon. Credits: Voice of Chameleon: Sbongiseni Nkatha Voice of forest animal: J Sbu Voice of old man: Andile Tsotetsi Production Team: Production engineer: Lango Cele Production assistant: Ntsikelelo Khanyile Executive producer: Diane Macpherson

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

11,243,416

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Podcast Authority Score: 42 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

47

Social presence

0

YouTube

93

Engagement

0

Contact African Story Magic with Gcina Mhlophe

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.