Eight-year-old Kirana Govender wins at Junior Africa Golf challenge

She’s still a dainty young golfer but in a few years, eight-year-old Kirana Govender plans on outdriving her father and elder sisters on the golf course. 

So far, the Westville Junior Primary pupil has racked up six medals and 16 trophies with her little clubs and earlier this month, won her first tournament at the Junior Africa Golf Challenge. 

Held at San Lameer on the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal, Govender had to go the distance and put up a four-round performance to seal the victory in the girls eight-nine year cohort, her mother Sumeshnee Govender told Independent Newspapers. 

The Junior Africa Challenge includes young golfers from around the world, including France, India and a few neighbouring countries. 

Her parents watched brimming with pride from the sidelines as she had to make her own way through San Lameer’s 18 holes. Sumeshnee said Kirana received an abundance of support from her fellow learners and staff at Westville Junior Primary, which helped keep her eyes on the ball.

During the first round, Govender played for the order of merit and the three days thereafter were for the Junior Africa Challenge. During the three rounds of the Africa challenge, Kirana shot a 57, 48 and 49 to 14 shots ahead of Zimbabwe’s Camilla Chabveka. 

“Kirana played four rounds of golf on a course that is not easy but she pushed on and gave it her all. She was not in first position from the beginning but kept her focus and didn’t give up, by the third round of golf, her score improved and she was named the 2025 Junior Africa Champion in her age division after the fourth roundBrimming with pride from the sidelines," Govender said. 

“She brought back a beautiful Eagle trophy which was so heavy for her little hands but she held it with the greatest pride knowing she did it for South Africa, KZN and most importantly her beloved school Westville Junior Primary.

“Throughout the build up for the Tour her teacher Mrs Mamotte and Principal Mrs Jenkins as well as coaches, staff and fellow students kept motivating her with messages, videos and voice notes. This really kept Kirana grounded knowing she was doing this not only for herself but there was a greater community waiting for her and waiting to celebrate with her.

“She thanks the SA kids Golf team especially Kreesen Munsamy and Xolani Gambu, who mean the world to Kirana.” 

The Durban golfer has been in the sport since she was two, with her father and elder sisters playing a big influence in her entrance to the sport. Watching her father or sisters swing the club would naturally lead her to picking up one and mimicking them. 

After they spotted a little spark, the Govenders decided to take Kirana to 1st to Eighteen Golf School by Anthony Moller, Neil Pearce and Nigel Hardy at the Royal Durban Country Club. 

When Kirana was six, she played in her first tournament at the Kloof Country Club and placed a respectable fourth in her category. Since then, she and her sisters have earned the support of Golf RSA. 

“Kirana was awarded with the prestigious Green Blazer which she wears proudly at all prize giving events. KZN Golf Union has also taken Kirana and her sisters Niskaya, Dasarah 

“GOLFRSA also supports the three girls and often hosts them in clinics,” Sumeshnee said. 

“As parents we are immensely proud of Kirana as we come from humble roots and try to give our girls all the opportunities we didn’t have growing up. We are always encouraging them to work hard and never shift focus, our family motto is #onwards-and-upwards.”