Kingsmead Young Writers’ Competition 2026 Results

The fifth Kingsmead Young Writers’ Competition 2025 is our record year, with over 900 entries nationwide. Thank you and congratulations to all the young writers who took up this year’s challenge!

This year’s theme ‘Out of This World’ perfectly describes the quality of entries we received. The interpretation of the topics were varied – from stories about fantastical Space Safaris and cut-throat Galaxy Games to futuristic living Off The Grid and thought provoking Messages from Tomorrow.

With grateful thanks to our wonderful judges who gave their time and expertise to selecting this year’s finalists. We couldn’t do it without them!

And the winners are…

Age 6 - 7

Winner:
Vihaan Khalawan, 6, Reddam House Umhlanga, KZN

Runners Up:
Âdam McCann, 7, Northlands Primary, KZN
Ayaan Amien, 7, King Edward VII Preparatory School, Gauteng

Highly Commended:
Amara Ranchod, 7, Kingsmead College, Gauteng
Arianna Coda, 7, St Andrew’s School for Girls, Gauteng
Asmaa Maasdorp, 7, Kingsmead College, Gauteng
Joel Cloete, 7, Kirstenhof Primary School, Western Cape
Kingsley Sharman, 7, Grayston Preparatory, Gauteng
Lucian Inderpal Pillay, 6, Home school Cambri-Learn, Gauteng
Luphawu Madyira, 6, Reddam House Durbanville, Western Cape
Nandi Zikalala, 7, Curro Midrand Halfway Gardens, Gauteng
Nina Jordaan, 7, Kingsmead College, Gauteng
Savara Reddy, 7, Morningside Primary School, KZN

Age 8 - 9

Winner:
Sam Kwint, 8, Laerskool Jan Celliers, Gauteng

Runners Up:
Aria Verappen, 9, Rallim Preparatory School, Western Cape
Azra Ramjam, 9, The Pinelands Primary School, Western Cape

Highly Commended:
Ava Burgess, 8, Home school Thrive Learning Hub, Gauteng
Emily Mae Beringer, 8, Parkview Junior School, Gauteng
Connor Footman, 9, Home school, Western Cape
Jayden Monaheng, 8, Cornwall Hill College, Gauteng
Kitan Fatunla, 8, Cornwall Hill College, Gauteng
Maximillian Dlamini, 9, Curro Aurora, Gauteng
Meca Phalane, 9, St Martin’s School, Gauteng
Tomas Feher, De La Salle Holy Cross College, Gauteng

Age 10 - 12

Winner:
Felix Latimer, 12, Selborne Primary School, Eastern Cape

Runners Up:
Adrienne Sales, 12, St Teresa’s School, Gauteng
Janvi Ramdhani, 12, Deccan Road Primary School, KZN

Highly Commended:
Aaron Russell, 11, De La Salle Holy Cross College, Gauteng
Aliya Reddy, 12, Craighall Primary School, Gauteng
Chloe Fourie, 12, Cape Winelands International School, Western Cape
Diya Dhanjee, 12, The Grove Primary School, Western Cape
Diya Sebastian, 12, De La Salle Holy Cross College, Gauteng
Ethan Huddy, 12, Glenwood House, Western Cape
Frances Gillibrand, 10, St Teresa’s School, Gauteng
Kgalalelo Ramela, 12, Meredale Primary School, Gauteng
Leano Mochela, 11, Bellavista School, Gauteng
Lumi Kemp, 11, Laerskool Mikro, Western Cape
Zanenhlanhla Sibiya, 12, St Teresa’s school, Gauteng

Age 13 - 15

Winner:
Jonathan Sharp, 14, Pretoria Boys High School, Gauteng

Runners Up:
Kayla Chukwuemeka, 15, Blouberg International School, Western Cape
Kristian Schuler, 14, Radford House, Gauteng

Highly Commended:
Abigail Abrahams, 15, Springfield Convent Senior School, Western Cape
Aliana Stipec, 13, Glenwood House, Western Cape
Alice du Plessis, 15, Springfield Convent Senior School
Amani Bulbulia, 15, Redwood Academy, Gauteng
Ameera Bhamjee, 14, Houghton Muslim Academy, Gauteng
Chloe Deacon, 14, Rustenburg Girls High School, Western Cape
Gabrielle Mihigo, 14, St Mary’s School Waverley, Gauteng
Langelihle Malobola, 15, Benoni High School, Gauteng
Luke Gounden, 13, St Benedict’s College, Gauteng
Sophie O’Connor, 13, Clarendon High School for Girls, Eastern Cape
Sophie Wolstenhome, 14, Kingsmead College, Gauteng
Yamukelo Mdlopane, 14, St Anne’s Diocese College, KZN
Yash Singh, 14, Radford House, Gauteng

Age 16 - 18

Winner:
Precious Jali, 16, Raphela Secondary School, Gauteng

Runners Up:
Rushay Gosai, 17, St John’s College, Gauteng
Sumedha Motilall, 16, Crawford Sandton International, Gauteng

Highly Commended:
Anna Monametsi, 16, Home School, Western Cape
Denayra Govender, 17, Curro Waterfall, Gauteng
Isobel Govender-Bateman, 17, Pretoria High School for Girls, Gauteng
Layla O’Donovan, 17, Somerset College, Western Cape
Leano Mathibe, 17, St. Mary’s DSG, Pretoria, Gauteng
Michaela von Maltitz, 17, Waterfall College, KZN
Maya Elle Russel, 18, St Cyprian’s High School, Western Cape
Nadirah Haffajee, 16, Nizamiye School Mayfair, Gauteng
Sedibo Sizakele Langa, 17, Cornwall Hill College, Gauteng
Sivaakani Naidoo, 16, Steyn City School, Gauteng
Zainab Essay, 16, Houghton Muslim Academy

Winners in each age category receive a R1 500 book voucher sponsored by Exclusive Books and R1 500 cash from Standard Bank Wealth and Investment.

The two runner’s up in each age category receive a book voucher from Exclusive Books.

In addition, each story, including the Highly Commended entries, are published in the upcoming online eBook anthology.

Finalists will be emailed by our team. The competition is tough and what the judges are looking for this year may not be what you wrote. We also looked for human generated stories, and entries that did not pass our AI tests were disqualified. Original voices, authentic storytelling and personal expressions are the goals of the Young Writers’ Competition.

Keep reading and writing!

‘Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying: ‘I will try again tomorrow.’

Mary Anne Radmacher, author and artist

The annual competition opens again next year in February 2027.

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