Gcina Mhlope, one of Africa´s most well-known story tellers and one of the most famous artists of South Africa does not simply tell her stories - she acts, sings and dances in an inimitable lively style. On top of fairy tales and legends, politics, too, plays a great role in Gcina´s stories. Her father was a Zulu and her mother a Xhosa, and so she grew up in two African text traditions. Thus, Gcina is one of the most ardent advocates for a peace process between the divided peoples of South Afriapprox. Her calling as a story teller was triggered off when, at the age of seventeen, she encountered an imbongi - a legendary poet and singer of the ancient African tradition. With her art, which is free from any language barriers, she has captured audiences in countless countries all over the world. Gcina Mlophe was born in Natal and has lived in Johannesburg for many years now. In Johannesburg, she used to work as a journalist and played several roles in theatre performances until, in 1986, she wrote the autobiographical play "Have you seen Zandile?" which was a world-wide success at various festivals. For the founding of the Zenendaba Storytellers and her performance as a narrator she was awarded an honorary doctorate by London University. Additionally to all the festivals and tours world-wide, she is currently working on a musical (Mata Mata), shooting a film and acting on stage in several plays in South Afriapprox. In spring 1998, she was awarded an honorary doctorate by Natal University.