Northlands Primary dazzles at global LEGO robotics stage

Loading player...
There are celebrations all around for Northlands Primary School as their team, Smooth Sailors, achieved top honours at the Open Africa Championship (OAC) of the First Lego League (FLL).

The league was held from 7 to 9 May 2025 in Cape Town and teams from 42 countries were in attendance.

Out of the 106 teams who were invited, globally, the Smooth Sailors from Northlands Primary School were the highest-ranked SA team. They earned second place in the “Core Values” category.

Principal Mr Alistair Naidu shared praise for the team’s amazing achievement, saying: “Smooth Sailors have not only made us proud as a school, but also as a country. Their recognition at an international level speaks volumes of their dedication, humility, and ability to lead with purpose. This is the kind of global excellence we are cultivating at Northlands.”

Team lead and coach Mr. Steven Kent shared that the First Lego League was more than just coding. “It’s a gateway to lifelong learning. We’re building a generation that is curious, empathetic, and eager to solve real-world challenges. Smooth Sailors have shown that South African youth can compete with the world’s best and excel,” said the proud coach.
20 May English South Africa Society & Culture · Personal Journals

Other recent episodes

FlySafair have a surprise in store for you this festive season

J Sbu sat down with the team from FlySafair to talk about something truly magical taking to our skies this festive season. For years, they’ve dreamed of creating a Christmas livery that would wow South Africans, and this year, that dream came true. Picture this: Santa in his sleigh, packed…
5 Dec 4 min

Deterrence vs rehabilitation: KZN DoT weekly roadblocks

Today on The Great Drive, we’re diving into a campaign that’s been making waves across KwaZulu-Natal, the KZN Department of Transport’s #NenzaniLaEzweni.It’s a province-wide crackdown targeting reckless driving, illegal trucking operations, unroadworthy vehicles, and drivers operating without proper documentation. Week after week, the RTI teams have been out on the…
2 Dec 8 min

US sanctions: If they try it, what will you pretend not to care about?

America just slapped us with tariffs, cut aid and offered ‘evacuation plans’ to a few Afrikaner white farmers, basically telling us we messed up. You might be asking yourself, what’s up with this beef again between the US and SA? Last week, Trump posted on social media (Truth Social) that…
1 Dec 12 min

Anywhere In Your City official line-up revealed

We’ve been getting DM’s, voice notes, tags on the socials – TO LEAK the biggest kept secret in terms of music festivals – Africa’s leading afro house music festival, no less… The Anywhere In Your City official line-up. The wait is over. The line-up has been under lock and key;…
28 Nov 11 min

Kiddies Hotline: What were your big highlights this year?

The school year is wrapping up, the homework is slowing down, the exams are out the way and the holidays are calling. Before we all head into summer mode, we want to hear from you. What were your big highlights this year? Maybe you nailed a tough subject, made a…
26 Nov 2 min