Gcina Mhlophe: charismatic storyteller

Abstract

Nokugcina (Gcina) Elsie Mhlophe is an accomplished South African anti-apartheid activist, storyteller, poet, author, playwright, actor and director. She was born on 24 October 1958 in Durban. Mhlophe is a charismatic storyteller, sharing stories for the purpose of entertaining, educating, preserving culture and instilling moral values, which is a deeply traditional and social activity in Africa. She is best known for writing both stories and music for children. As a multilingual storyteller, she delivers her stories in English, Afrikaans, Zulu, Sotho and Xhosa, ensuring that they are received and understood by a diverse population. She has been writing and performing on radio, stage and screen for over 20 years, and is highly accomplished in a field dominated by men. Although Mhlophe is now a renowned author and performer, she began her life as a domestic worker, and proceeded to work as a newsreader for BBC Radio and Press Trust before working as a writer at Learn and Teach, a magazine for newly-literate people. In 1988, while in Chicago, she became aware of the growing demand for stories when she occasionally performed in a library located in a predominantly black neighbourhood. Nonetheless, she was completely oblivious to storytelling as a potential career until she was inspired by hearing a distinguished Imbongi (a Xhosa praise poet) perform African folklore. She was also encouraged by Mannie Manim, one-time director of the Market Theatre (an anti-racist theatre during the apartheid regime) in Johannesburg.