Rugby is not the only sport where South Africa and Australia have clashed recently.
On 13 August, the two proud nations faced each other down in a nail-biting end to the final of the 2025 International Kids’ Lit Quiz, an annual event billed as the “Olympics of Reading”.
Seven school teams took place in the World finals held in South Africa, including six international schools.
After a quiz that saw the lead change place after almost every round, South Africa and Australia ended up in a tense sudden-death playoff, from which Australia emerged the world champions. Australia was represented by The King’s School, Tudor House, New South Wales (Maya Bischoff, Lyndon Deck, Alexis Larby and Maddie Neggo), while the South African team comprised Selah Galeta, Motheo Modise, Ella Sproule and Nancy Wood of St Mary’s School, Waverley, Johannesburg.
The South African team, comprising Motheo Modise, Ella Sproule, Nancy Wood and Selah Galeta from St Mary’s School, Johannesburg, won in the national final in February this year and came second in the 2025 Kids’ Lit Quiz final on 13 August.
The other teams were from Canada, Indonesia, New Zealand, Thailand and the United States.
Each four-student team was the winner of that country’s national Kids’ Lit Quiz final, which took place after intense regional rounds. Here in South Africa, St Mary’s School won the final in February 2025, emerging as the victor amongst more than 130 participating schools across the country.
In addition to coming a worthy second, South Africa also played host to this year’s Kids’ Lit
Quiz. The event was held at St John’s College, Houghton, Johannesburg, with the school accommodating the students and coaches, and providing venues for the final, as well as the elegant gala dinner held in the evening.
Here, the Australian team was awarded the international trophy and all the teams were saluted for their passion for literature and remarkable knowledge of books, characters and authors. Part of the event included brief but inspiring talks by well-known South African children’s authors and storytellers, including John van de Ruit, Hamilton Wende, Refiloe Moaholi, Dr Gcina Mhlophe, Lorianne Preston and Hannes Barnard.
In addition to these activities, guests were entertained to visits to Gold Reef City, the Constitutional Court, the Apartheid Museum, a marimba workshop, a fresh South African version of Shakespeare’s works, and much else.
The 2025 final was generously supported by Exclusive Books, South Africa’s leading bookstore chain.
“Exclusive Books is proud to sponsor an event that cultivates a passion for reading and connects young people globally through literature,” said CEO Grattan Kirk.
“We have more than 70 years’ experience in promoting literacy and a culture of reading. Through its expansive network and community initiatives, Exclusive Books remains committed to education and fostering a lifelong love of books.” Wayne Mills, Refiloe Moaholi and Grattan Kirk.
Marjorie Brown, South African Coordinator for the Kids’ Lit Quiz, said that the annual international event was “about more than just testing knowledge”. It brings young readers
together, fosters international friendships, and highlights the unifying power of books.”
Founded in 1991 by Wayne Mills, a now-retired lecturer in children’s literature in New Zealand, the International Kids’ Lit Quiz celebrates children’s literature around the world.
Aimed at students aged 10 to 13, the competition tests participants’ knowledge across the entire spectrum of children’s books, from timeless classics to the most up-to-date contemporary fiction.
Wayne Mills, founder of the International Kids’ Lit Quiz, asking questions at the 2025 KLQ final. Everything from folklore, myths and poetry to manga and trendy topics such as comic-based superheroes, is included.
Mills, however, has always seen his Kids’ Lit Quiz as not just an international literature
competition, but as a way of inspiring a lifelong love of reading and storytelling. It promotes reading for pleasure and honours books as tools to encourage empowerment, imagination and connection.
The timing of the Kids’ Lit Quiz final is highly appropriate, as September sees a focus on
literacy both locally and internationally. South Africa celebrates National Literacy Month,
holding National Book Week from 5 to 11 September, there are global observances such as
Read a Book Day (6 September) and International Literacy Day (8 September). All serve as
essential reminders of how vital reading is to a child’s future.
