African Story Magic with Gcina Mhlophe

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 Mother Tortoise was forever etched in the memories of every creature she had touched. Storytellers sang her praises for generations to come. Listen to Gcina Mhlophe bring this magical tale to life in the latest episode of African Story Magic. Episode 6 credits: Voice of Fudukazi (English) – Carol Ofori Voice of Fudukazi (isiZulu) – Khosi Zwane Voice of Hyena (both) – Ndabe Zondi Voice of Leopard (English) – Natarah Nadesan Voice of Leopard (isiZulu) – Gcinokuhle Malinga Voice of Giraffe (English) – Danny Guselli Voice of Giraffe (isiZulu) – Ntsikelelo Khanyile Production team: Production engineer: Lango Cele Production assistant: Ntsikelelo Khanyile Executive producer: Diane Macpherson ECR website channel page

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, kwenzeka isimangaliso. Lapho ilanga lishona, igama likaFudukazi, iNdlovukazi ehlakaniphile nenamandla omlingo, labe selihlala phakade ezinhliziyweni zabo bonke abathintwe nguye. Abaxoxi bezinganekwane baqhubeka bemdumisa izizukulwane ngezizukulwane. Lalela uGcina Mhlophe elandisa le ndaba emangalisayo esiqeshini se-African Story Magic. Episode 6 credits: Voice of Fudukazi (English) – Carol Ofori Voice of Fudukazi (isiZulu) – Khosi Zwane Voice of Hyena (both) – Ndabe Zondi Voice of Leopard (English) – Natarah Nadesan Voice of Leopard (isiZulu) – Gcinokuhle Malinga Voice of Giraffe (English) – Danny Guselli Voice of Giraffe (isiZulu) – Ntsikelelo Khanyile Production team: Production engineer: Lango Cele Production assistant: Ntsikelelo Khanyile Executive producer: Diane Macpherson ECR website channel page

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 ECR website channel page

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 izilwane zase zibuthanele kuye ukuze zilalele ukudlala kwakhe okukhethekile. Ngalolo suku athola ukwamukelwa nokuhlonishwa okokuqala ngqa. Umculo wakhe wamenza wazizwa ukuthi ungubani—wabe esebizwa ngokuthi Unwabu Oluculayo. ECR website channel page

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