KBF Young Writers’ Competition 2023

We’re proud to be running the second KBF Young Writers’ Competition. Celebrating the talents of young writers across South Africa, the competition is open to schoolchildren aged 6 – 18.

Entries must be based on the theme of Courage. You can write in any genre.

“Tell us a story about courage, be it silly or scary, amorous or adventurous, witty or wise.”

Use the topic as a springboard for your story and let your imagination run wild. We’re looking for original stories so write the story you’d love to read.

All the right people will be reading your entries and the winners in each category will get feedback from a professional writer or editor to guide them on their writing journey. A selection of runners-up may be selected based on merit.

Kingsmead Young Writers’ Winners 2023

Congratulations to the following winners and finalists:

Age 6–7

Winner: Ella Molenaar – Wellington Prep and College

Highly commended:

Angela Ball – Kingsmead College
Bethany Joy Clausen – Grace and Truth Homeschool Co-op
Ncumisa Tshabalala – Sir Edmund Hillary Primary School
River-Rose Devine – homeschooled
MacKenzi Govender – Kingsmead College
Zion Galela Zion – Sweetvalley Primary

Age 8–9

Winner: Isa Asvat – Curro Waterstone College

Highly commended:

Amelia Dosani – St Peter’s Prep,
Annabelle Wallace – Springfield Convent Junior School
Katherine Cassidy Naidoo – Kingsmead College
Leah Tarry – St Teresa’s School
Lukas Potgieter – Summerwood Primary School
Mila Pieterse – St Katharine’s School
Reese Harris – Kingsmead College
Stella Eagar – Kingsmead College

Age 10–12

Winner: Mateah Cloete – Parkrand Primary School, Boksburg

Highly Commended:

Abigail-Lynn Abrahams – St Cyprians School,
Ammaarah Peeroo – Nasruddin Islamic School
Cilla Rijsdijk – Michael Oak Waldorf School
Imaan Fakey – Courtney House International
Jade Hartmann – St Katharine’s School
Joseph Samuel Yen – Ambleside Primary School
Kit Linder – Rondebosch Boys Prep
Lyla Davies – Hout Bay International
Robbie Ackermann – The Ridge Prep
Ronaldo Khoza – St John’s Prep
Sebastian Bouche – St John’s Prep
Sofia Kröger– home schooled
Sophie Wolstenholme– St Teresa’s School
Thomas Herold – St John’s Prep

Age 13–15

Winner: Jessie Ruth Allott, home schooled

Highly Commended:

Caitlin Smith – Parklands College Cape Town
Cara Moore – Parktown High School for Girls
Chiara Szabo – Assumption Convent School
Isabella Kruger – Reddford House Northcliff
Lesego Maleka – Reddford House Blue Hills
Maya Elle Russell – St Cyprians School
Oratilwe Muyunda – Brescia House School
Owen Bronkhorst – Home schooled
Theiyal Moodley – Homeschooled
Vuyani Eccles – Courtney House International School
Zanike Marshall – Hoërskool Swartland
Zoë West – Herschel Girls School

Age 16–18

Co-winners: Lily Engel – St Marys DSG and Leah Falcon – Kingsmead College

Highly Commended:

Special mention: Caitlin Campbell – Wingu Academy
Buhle Moyo – Roosevelt High School
Elizmarie LeHanie – Duende Academy
Jessica van der Merwe – Hoerskool Jeugland
Louis de Beer – Stellenbosch University
Panashe Manyengawana – Blue Hills College
Taylor Fourie – Pearson High School

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