Gcina Mhlophe

It’s December in the Valley of a Thousand Hills - a time when people return from the cities, a time for swimming in the river and playing in the sun, a time for mangoes and new clothes. Outside Durban’s busy shops, Thando sees a strangely dressed man and learns that Father Christmas is a kind person who brings children presents. Will he bring Christmas presents to the children of her Valley? Or will Gogo’s magical story about Nomkhubulwane the rain goddess come true?

My parents named me Vuyani, which simply means be happy and let us rejoice!’ The Joy Dancer, by multi-award-winning dancer and choreographer, Gregory Vuyani Maqoma, co-written with the legendary Gcina Mhlophe, takes children on a jubilant voyage through his extraordinary life. This is an autobiographical children’s book brought to life with vibrant illustrations from the acclaimed illustrator, Elizabeth Pulles. To celebrate Gregory’s 50th turn around the sun, and in marking his legacy (Birthday Legacy Project), he shares his journey of self-discovery, reminding children that their dreams can take them on extraordinary adventures, such as his. Gregory grew up in Soweto where he found magic in music and dance as a young child. His father’s jazz music, the gumboot dancers at the men’s hostel, and seeing Michael Jackson on television all stirred his imagination. Gregory played the big drum for the marching band with the drum majorettes and created his own band called The Joy Dancers who performed for his community. Gregory had a dream to dance and in this stunning book, children will take pleasure and inspiration in dreaming along with him. Both dazzling and informative–and as profoundly rich as Gregory’s dreams–The Joy Dancer will be a cherished classics for generations to come. This book is his legacy and our children’s heritage.

My parents named me Vuyani, which simply means be happy and let us rejoice!’ The Joy Dancer, by multi-award-winning dancer and choreographer, Gregory Vuyani Maqoma, co-written with the legendary Gcina Mhlophe, takes children on a jubilant voyage through his extraordinary life. This is an autobiographical children’s book brought to life with vibrant illustrations from the acclaimed illustrator, Elizabeth Pulles. To celebrate Gregory’s 50th turn around the sun, and in marking his legacy (Birthday Legacy Project), he shares his journey of self-discovery, reminding children that their dreams can take them on extraordinary adventures, such as his. Gregory grew up in Soweto where he found magic in music and dance as a young child. His father’s jazz music, the gumboot dancers at the men’s hostel, and seeing Michael Jackson on television all stirred his imagination. Gregory played the big drum for the marching band with the drum majorettes and created his own band called The Joy Dancers who performed for his community. Gregory had a dream to dance and in this stunning book, children will take pleasure and inspiration in dreaming along with him. Both dazzling and informative–and as profoundly rich as Gregory’s dreams–The Joy Dancer will be a cherished classics for generations to come. This book is his legacy and our children’s heritage.

My parents named me Vuyani, which simply means be happy and let us rejoice!’ The Joy Dancer, by multi-award-winning dancer and choreographer, Gregory Vuyani Maqoma, co-written with the legendary Gcina Mhlophe, takes children on a jubilant voyage through his extraordinary life. This is an autobiographical children’s book brought to life with vibrant illustrations from the acclaimed illustrator, Elizabeth Pulles. To celebrate Gregory’s 50th turn around the sun, and in marking his legacy (Birthday Legacy Project), he shares his journey of self-discovery, reminding children that their dreams can take them on extraordinary adventures, such as his. Gregory grew up in Soweto where he found magic in music and dance as a young child. His father’s jazz music, the gumboot dancers at the men’s hostel, and seeing Michael Jackson on television all stirred his imagination. Gregory played the big drum for the marching band with the drum majorettes and created his own band called The Joy Dancers who performed for his community. Gregory had a dream to dance and in this stunning book, children will take pleasure and inspiration in dreaming along with him. Both dazzling and informative–and as profoundly rich as Gregory’s dreams–The Joy Dancer will be a cherished classics for generations to come. This book is his legacy and our children’s heritage.

My parents named me Vuyani, which simply means be happy and let us rejoice!’ The Joy Dancer, by multi-award-winning dancer and choreographer, Gregory Vuyani Maqoma, co-written with the legendary Gcina Mhlophe, takes children on a jubilant voyage through his extraordinary life. This is an autobiographical children’s book brought to life with vibrant illustrations from the acclaimed illustrator, Elizabeth Pulles. To celebrate Gregory’s 50th turn around the sun, and in marking his legacy (Birthday Legacy Project), he shares his journey of self-discovery, reminding children that their dreams can take them on extraordinary adventures, such as his. Gregory grew up in Soweto where he found magic in music and dance as a young child. His father’s jazz music, the gumboot dancers at the men’s hostel, and seeing Michael Jackson on television all stirred his imagination. Gregory played the big drum for the marching band with the drum majorettes and created his own band called The Joy Dancers who performed for his community. Gregory had a dream to dance and in this stunning book, children will take pleasure and inspiration in dreaming along with him. Both dazzling and informative–and as profoundly rich as Gregory’s dreams–The Joy Dancer will be a cherished classics for generations to come. This book is his legacy and our children’s heritage.

My parents named me Vuyani, which simply means be happy and let us rejoice!’ The Joy Dancer, by multi-award-winning dancer and choreographer, Gregory Vuyani Maqoma, co-written with the legendary Gcina Mhlophe, takes children on a jubilant voyage through his extraordinary life. This is an autobiographical children’s book brought to life with vibrant illustrations from the acclaimed illustrator, Elizabeth Pulles. To celebrate Gregory’s 50th turn around the sun, and in marking his legacy (Birthday Legacy Project), he shares his journey of self-discovery, reminding children that their dreams can take them on extraordinary adventures, such as his. Gregory grew up in Soweto where he found magic in music and dance as a young child. His father’s jazz music, the gumboot dancers at the men’s hostel, and seeing Michael Jackson on television all stirred his imagination. Gregory played the big drum for the marching band with the drum majorettes and created his own band called The Joy Dancers who performed for his community. Gregory had a dream to dance and in this stunning book, children will take pleasure and inspiration in dreaming along with him. Both dazzling and informative–and as profoundly rich as Gregory’s dreams–The Joy Dancer will be a cherished classics for generations to come. This book is his legacy and our children’s heritage.

A story about the power of reading… In Dududu village, everyone knows that Mrs Zwane loves books. She collects old papers, books and magazines and keeps them neatly piled in her bedroom. Mrs Zwane had never been to school. She couldn’t read or write, but something inside her tells her there is magic in those printed words. One day they will talk to me,’ she says. This is the story of how Mrs Zwane helps the children of Dududu – and how a young boy gives Mrs Zwane a very special gift. The gift of reading, and words.

This anthology includes eight traditional tales from all over Africa. Sumptuous hand-sewn collage artwork decorated with African beads adorns these unforgettable tales of bravery, wisdom, wit and heroic deeds.

Stories with magic inspire us to believe in hope and dreams. How will anyone recognise 'real life' miracles if they have not learned about magic from stories? ""Our Story Magic"" is a collection of enchanting and compelling tales written by Gcina Mhlophe. The illustrations are by artists from KwaZulu-Natal. Read and share these stories with the love that went into the writing of them. Some of the magical titles in this collection include: ""Sun And The Moon""; ""Queen Of The Tortoises""; ""Moonlight Magic""; ""Dad Is Eating Ashes""; ""The Singing Dog' Jojela's Wooden Spoon""; and, ""Sunset Colours"".

This wonderful collection of stories, narrated by South Africa's most popular performance storyteller, in her inimitable style, is drawn from her well known book ""Stories of Africa"". In addition, there are a number of songs, most of them written by Gcina Mhlophe - with the exception of ""Imfene emthini - Baboon in the tree"" (which is a well known traditional children's song). For the vocals on this CD, Gcina is joined by her daughter, Nomakhwezi Becker, as well as members of the Children's Choir from 'Entakemazolo H. P. School in Hammarsdale (a rural area in KwaZulu-Natal. In Gcina's words: ""I love sharing my songs and stories with others. But my favourite way of relating them is the ancient way of my people - telling them face to face, in front of a live audience. Oh the thrill of seeing faces reacting to what you are saying, of feeling the energy go from the storyteller and back again! I hope that this CD will carry some of that thrill to you, the listener, and that you, too, will feel a story or a song awaken inside you and find yourself wishing to tell it to others. Yes you! Because every living being has a story to tell. So let's keep passing on the magic

Edited by Charles J. Fourie The Playground by Beverly Naidoo | Taxi by Sibusiso Mamba | Green Man Flashing by Mike Van Graan | Rejoice by James Whylie | What the Water Gave Me by Rehane Abrahams | To House by Ashwin Singh A collection of six plays dealing with the new South Africa, published in 2006 to celebrate 10 years of democracy post-apartheid. Plays about racial conflict, the impact of AIDS, power and corruption, the legacy of the past and female identity.

This folklore story collection offers a feast of enjoyment for young South African readers. Ten enchanting tales, steeped in the imaginative richness of African storytelling: Where did the first stories in the world come from? How did little Tortoise win the respect of all the other animals? Who was Nanana Bo Sele Sele and what happened when she built her house in the middle of the animals' road? Why was young Crocodile so determined to get hold of Monkey's heart? Told with inimitable aplomb by South Africa's most popular performance storyteller and illustrated by a lively selection of KwaZulu-Natal artistic talent, Stories of Africa is a classic to delight new readers across the multicultural spectrum.

Gcina Mhlophe is a poet, playwright, performer and storyteller. In this retrospective collection, she shares her personal journey through the social and political landscapes of the 1980s, with its recollected moments of struggle and transformation along the way. Written in a variety of styles and voices, ranging from anecdotal memory to historical moment to folklore tradition, these simply presented poems and stories are by turns funny, touching, chilling, thought-provoking and absorbing. ""Love Child"" is a collection for the new millennium generation. It is valuable not just for the deeply-felt personal and political insights is has to offer, but for the accessible ease with which it manages to capture the seminal moments of black South African history in the preserving amber of the author's personal recollection.

Have You Seen Zandile? is a wonderful South African resource, still as fresh and absorbing as when it was first written. Perfectly scripted, and with Gcina Mhlophe’s sure instinct for stagecraft, it recounts the very personal story of Zandile, who is snatched away from her grandmother’s loving care and taken to live with her matriarchal family in rural Transkei. Moving, funny and convincing, full of Zandile’s shrewd, youthful insights, the play offers an illuminating window onto the 1960s world that it depicts, with its issues of white dominance, rural hardship and black female repression. Have You Seen Zandile? is already an established favourite in performance circles, and is fast becoming a South African classic.