Ubuntu
Making the World A Better Place

Essay Writing Competition 2025
Category: 8 - 11 years
- Winner -

Winning Essay: "Ubuntu - Making the World A Better Place"

by T'neal Kuhn from South Africa

This essay was submitted in the Kids World Travel Guide Writing Competition 2025 in the Junior Category 8 - 11 years.

Ubuntu
Making the World a Better Place

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, former president of South Africa, believed in something called Ubuntu - we are people because of other people.

This means to show kindness to other people, and they show kindness to me. In my little town in South Africa, I feel safe because I know most of the people by their name and their families, and they are definitely not strangers to me.

When tragedy strikes, our community pulls in and helps each other. Our neighbour’s husband died, leaving her with her four children, all alone. Our community visited and brought them food for almost a whole year. Neighbours helped get the children to school, and look after them. Close friends helped her to run her business.

Our community loves to do things together as a group. The older men meet weekly for supper and conversation. We organise sporting events like fishing competitions, rounders (similar to soft ball), tennis tournaments, touch rugby, and these include kids and adults. They also have a giant bonfire evening, where friends from other communities are invited to also share food, laughter, and fun.

We all work together for the good of the community, by standing up for our homes. For example, when companies tried to mine the area, we all sent objection letters to save the wildlife and plants that you don’t find in other parts of the world.

My community has taught me important lessons.

To be kind.

To be selfless.

To be caring.

To share.

And family is important, even if you’re not blood related.

I wish the rest of the world would take these ideas to make their communities as wonderful as mine.

If we could love and care for each other more - to live out Ubuntu - I think that our world will be a better place for everyone.

Congratulations, T'neal! Your outstanding essay has been selected as the winner in the 8–11 years age category!

Thank you for your honest and powerful, value-driven storytelling! You can be so proud of yourself! Your writing flows naturally, with a wonderful balance between meaningful storytelling and empathetic reflection.

This is a truly heartfelt and authentic tribute to the African philosophy of Ubuntu. Well done, and congratulations!

T'neal is 10 years old and home-educated in South Africa. Home language is English.