Mother and child reading a book together

THOKOZANI THE ELAND

Meet Thokozani the eland, a magical creature who lives in the Drakensberg Mountains. Thokozani lives a quiet life enjoying lush greenery with his family and a host of other animals in his habitat. When a series of fierce veld fires suddenly sweep through his community, the task of talking to the humans who sparked the blaze falls on his shoulders.

Dr Gcina Mhlophe weaves together spirituality, African history and environmental wellness to craft a tale that demonstrates the power of community and consideration for others.

A young man with purple skin dressed in a blue cloth covered with tribal patterns.
Tradtional storyteller and children's book author Gcina Mhlope.

DR GCINA MHLOPHE

AUTHOR

Dr Gcina Mhlophe is an award-winning author, poet, playwright, director, performer and storyteller. She has performed her stories at theatres like the Royal Albert Hall in England and the Kennedy Centre in the United States and has collaborated with Ladysmith Black Mambazo on a children’s music album.

Gcina has seven honorary doctorates from several universities, has won a SAMA and received the USIBA Cultural Legend Award from the Minister of Arts and Culture in 2018.

Sanelisiwe Singaphi, the illustrator of an Ethinikids publication called Thokozani the Eland.

SANELISIWE SINGAPHI

ILLUSTRATOR

Sanelisiwe Singaphi is an illustrator, mural artist and printmaker who started her art career as a freelance illustrator in 2011. She worked for Phaphamani Children’s Literature, an organisation devoted to creating imaginative children’s stories with colourful and fun characters.

One of her first publications was a children’s comic series for newspapers Eyethu and Isolezwe. Since then, she has provided illustrations for Remembering Dis-membering, Kati Leqa laMpuku, Africa with Avi and Kumbi and Qhawe! Mokgadi Caster Semenya.

Let’s get reading!