Lego League success: Northlands Primary's Smooth Sailors head to South Korea

Loading player...
As we close off Kiddies’ Hotline for the year, we’re celebrating a proudly KZN story that is making waves far beyond our coastline. Northlands Primary’s First Lego League team, the Smooth Sailors, have just made history. After an incredible performance at the national “Unearthed” First Lego League competition in Johannesburg, they’ve secured their spot to represent South Africa on the world stage in South Korea next year.

Now, this team didn’t just show up, they delivered excellence in robot design, innovation, teamwork and pure creativity, earning the prestigious Champions Award and placing fourth in the country. Their journey is a testament to grit, imagination, and the power of STEM education right here in Durban North.

Stacey and J Sbu caught up with 12-year-old Kirthan Cross, the
10 Dec 2025 English South Africa Society & Culture · Personal Journals

Other recent episodes

Do big bonuses drive performance or reward failure?

J Sbu unpacked Eskom handing out R5.4 billion in bonuses, around R128,000 per employee, after recording its first profit in years, while electricity bills keep rising. J Sbu debated whether big bonuses actually drive performance or whether they've simply become an expensive expectation and you weighed in. Missed it? Listen…
5 May 9 min

Hantavirus: What is it and why is it so important?

We keep hearing about this Hantavirus, and now it has hit a lot closer to home. The Department of Health has confirmed a case right here in South Africa, after a critically ill British passenger was airlifted off a cruise ship and taken to a private hospital in Sandton. The…
5 May 7 min

All the love. None of the spark: A confession to remember

Every Thursday, we detail some of the wildest confessions from the streets of Mzansi. We get YOU to weigh in on your unfiltered thoughts. Today, Stacey received a confession from Mark, who said: "My partner is amazing, supportive, loyal, good to my family… but I’m not attracted to them anymore…
30 Apr 7 min