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Listen "African Mother Christmas (S2 Epi3 in English)"
Episode Synopsis
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 they get new clothes.
But this Christmas holds a magical surprise, as African Mother Christmas brings joy and wonder to the valley in a way no one could expect.
“This special story was inspired by our own African way of life in the not-so-distant past, where we celebrated the end of harvest in late August, and September was our New Year in the African calendar. We would be giving thanks for the richness and fertility of our land,” says Gcina Mhlophe.
Listen to this episode now in English or isiZulu and share this special festive story with your family!
Episode 3 Credits:
Author and Storyteller: Gcina Mhlophe
Voice of Thando: Snovuyo Ntuli
Voice of Thando's Father & Rickshaw man: Sky Tshabalala
Voice of Father Christmas: Darren Maule
Voice of Durban store owner: Carmen Reddy
Production Team:
Production Engineer: Lango Cele
Production Assistant: Ntsikelelo Khanyile
Executive Producer: Diane Macpherson ECR website channel page
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 they get new clothes.
But this Christmas holds a magical surprise, as African Mother Christmas brings joy and wonder to the valley in a way no one could expect.
“This special story was inspired by our own African way of life in the not-so-distant past, where we celebrated the end of harvest in late August, and September was our New Year in the African calendar. We would be giving thanks for the richness and fertility of our land,” says Gcina Mhlophe.
Listen to this episode now in English or isiZulu and share this special festive story with your family!
Episode 3 Credits:
Author and Storyteller: Gcina Mhlophe
Voice of Thando: Snovuyo Ntuli
Voice of Thando's Father & Rickshaw man: Sky Tshabalala
Voice of Father Christmas: Darren Maule
Voice of Durban store owner: Carmen Reddy
Production Team:
Production Engineer: Lango Cele
Production Assistant: Ntsikelelo Khanyile
Executive Producer: Diane Macpherson ECR website channel page
More episodes of the podcast African Story Magic with Gcina Mhlophe
Fudukazi’s Magic (S2 Epi6 in English)
05/02/2025
Umlingo kaFudukazi (S2 Epi6 in isiZulu)
05/02/2025
The Singing Chameleon (S2 Epi5 in English)
22/01/2025
Unwabu Oluculayo (S2 Epi5 in isiZulu)
22/01/2025
ABC Prayers (S2 Epi4 in English)
08/01/2025
Imithandazo ka-ABC (S2 Epi4 in isiZulu)
08/01/2025
Sisanda’s Gift (S2 Epi2 in English)
27/11/2024
isipho sikaSisanda (S2 Epi2 in isiZulu)
27/11/2024
Sunset Colours (S2 Epi1 in English)
13/11/2024
In God we trust