uKhahlamba
("barrier of spears")

"uKhahlamba ("barrier of spears") " by Divya Ramasar from South Africa was chosen as commended essay in the Junior category 8 - 11 years.

This article was submitted in the Kids World Travel Guide Essay Competition 2026.

UKhahlamba
("barrier of spears")

In isiZulu people say Intaba iyisikhulu futhi inhle - the mountain is mighty and beautiful.

My name is Divya. I am eight years old and I live in South Africa. My favourite colour is yellow, like sunshine and sunflowers.

I love the uKhahlamba Drakensberg mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. It’s the highest mountain range in South Africa, and my favourite landmark. It is old, almost 182 million years old. Even dinosaurs wandered there!

September is "Heritage Month" in South Africa. It’s when we celebrate our roots and where we come from. That’s why I picked Drakensberg. I also picked it as my landmark because I’ve been there and it’s fantastic. I love swimming in the pools and go hiking.

When it’s raining it’s gloomy and I can’t play outside. It’s very cold even in the summer, and I can see the drops falling from the sky. All I can do is stay inside. Then the rain clears and we can play outside again. One day I really want to see the mountains during winter. The peaks get covered in snow sometimes. I’ve never seen snow! I’ve always wanted to do a snow angel.

The mountains are so wide and tall; once my mum, dad and I climbed one of the smaller peaks. We also celebrated Christmas in the mountains. There was lots of singing and dancing around us. We got a lot of candies and presents. It was so much fun.

One day my dad and I saw a man chasing a big baboon across the playground. It was scary because I thought the baboon would hurt me. Baboons are roaming freely around, even entering the houses where people stay. Are the baboons taking over our spot I thought? Then I realised that no, the baboons were here first. We’re the ones who have taken over their spot.

Congratulations on your lovely essay "uKhahlamba", Divya! Thank you for sharing your favorite spot in South Africa with us. This UNESCO World Heritage Site certainly is an amazing landmark!

Divya, 8 years, attends Redhill School in South Africa. English and Swedish as home languages. She was one of the youngest entrants in this competition. What a great start! Well done!