KBF Young Writers' Competition 2024 Winners & eBook

We’re jumping up and down with excitement to reveal the names of the 2024 winners!

It was really hard for the judges this year. Not just because we had so many more entries, but because they keep getting better. In the end the finalists were chose for a combination of plot, characterisation, excellent use of language, and an overall WOW factor which gripped the judges’ imaginations. If you’re not on the list this year, don’t despair. Keep working on your writing and entering competitions. Read the winning entries here.

WINNERS, RUNNERS UP and HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Age 6–7

Winner: Juliano Pessegueiro, Redhill Junior School, Gauteng
Runners Up:
Laura van Zuydam, Kingsmead College, Gauteng
Nusaybah Dhai, Berea West Preparatory School, KZN

Highly Commended in alphabetical order:
Jesse Levin, Herzlia Weizmann, Western Cape
Kenzie Ciana Naidoo, Kingsmead College, Gauteng
Sadie Brijmohan, Kamalinee Primary School KZN
Zach Johnstone, The Ridge School, Gauteng
Zakariyya Asvat, Curro Waterstone College, Gauteng

Age 8–9

Winner: Sanchia Naicker, Kingsmead College, Gauteng
Runners Up:
Erin Laggar, Reddam House Durbanville, Western Cape
Zaneerah Loonat, Farrarmere Primary School, Gauteng

Highly Commended in alphabetical order:
Cebolenkosi Cebisa, Farrarmere Primary School, Gauteng
Isa Asvat, Curro Waterstone College, Gauteng
Rishi Kathawaroo , Redhill Junior, Gauteng
Siko Sibaca, Cornwall Hill College, Gauteng
Zoѐ Li Green, Craighall Primary, Gauteng

Age 10–12

Winner: Amélie Mackenzie Hope, Rustenburg Girls Junior School, Western Cape
Runners Up:
Azriel Opert, Cape Town Torah High , Western Cape
Benjamin Anderson, St John’s Prep, Gauteng

Highly Commended in alphabetical order:
Lyla Duddy, Cedar House, Western Cape
Merci Khoza, Roedean School, Gauteng
Oliver Vermeulen, Deutsche Internationale Schule Johannesburg , Gauteng
Sophia Alwar, Crawford International La Lucia Preparatory, KZN
Sophie Wolstenholme, St Teresa’s School, Gauteng
Zachary Damoulakis, King David Victory Park, Gauteng

Age 13–15

Winner: Anna Monametsi, Newberry House Montessori School, Western Cape
Runners Up:
Liam Botha, Kearsney College, KZN
Michaela von Maltitz, Waterfall College, KZN

Highly Commended in alphabetical order:
Cameron Gaddin, King Edward VII School, Gauteng
Hannah Thurman, Somerset College, Western Cape
Jessie Usher, St Anne’s Diocesan, KZN
Kauthar Reddy, Claremont High School, Western Cape
Rachel Ginsberg, Cape Town Torah High, Western Cape

Age 16–18

Winner: Grace Peterson, Koa Academy, Western Cape
Runners Up:
Buhle Monde Mazibuko, Kitsong Independent School, North West
Saskia Pearse, St Stithians Girls College, Gauteng

Highly Commended in alphabetical order:
Amelie Malherbe, Dainfern College, Gauteng
Darakhshaan Faki, Star College Cape Town, Western Cape
Hanneke Schoeman, Die Mos Inisiatief, Limpopo
Oreneile Lesabe, Pinelands High School, Western Cape
Tahir Ramraj, Sasolburg High School, Gauteng
Sarah Bedggood, Home schooled, Western Cape
SaraMari Grey-Johnson, St Mary’s Waverley, Gauteng