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 2025 English South Africa Society & Culture · Personal Journals

Other recent episodes

Confession: New job, inappropriate comments, what do I do?

Every Thursday, we detail some of the wildest confessions from the streets of Mzansi. We get YOU to weigh in on your unfiltered thoughts. This week, the confession went a little like this: "I just started a new job, and the owner has already made a few inappropriate comments that…
26 Mar 8 min

What do you wish your team understood about what it really takes to lead?

Have you ever stopped to think about what your boss is actually juggling behind the scenes? We'd like to open up a conversation about what subordinates often don’t understand about being in leadership. It’s not just about giving orders or making decisions, leaders carry a weight of responsibility that can…
25 Mar 7 min

What’s one small parenting win that meant everything to you?

We know parenting isn’t just about the big, Instagram-worthy milestones, it’s the small, often unseen moments that really stay with you. That time your child said “thank you” without being asked, opened up about something they were struggling with, showed kindness when no one was watching… those are the moments…
25 Mar 7 min

Your Big Walk playlist that means something

As we build up to the Suncoast East Coast Radio Big Walk, we’re creating more than just a moment on the Durban Promenade, we’re creating a shared soundtrack to it. I think we can all agree that music has a way of carrying us through, whether it’s that final stretch…
19 Mar 7 min