Northlands Primary Smooth Sailors made history at the Unearthed First LEGO League nationals this weekend and will represent South Africa in South Korea next year.

Durban - After three strong seasons at national level, Northlands Primary School’s First Lego League Team, “The Smooth Sailors”, will represent South Africa in South Korea, 3 to 5 July 2026.

The Smooth Sailors made waves at the “Unearthed” themed, annual national competition held at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, Johannesburg, this weekend, 5-6 December. The team won the prestigious Champions Award, placing fourth in the entire country and officially securing their place to represent South Africa on the world stage.

The Champions Award celebrates a team that truly embodies the LEGO League Challenge experience through excellence in robot performance, robot design and their innovation project, while fully embracing the core values of discovery, innovation, impact, teamwork, and inclusion. First Lego League introduces STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) to children ages 5-16 (varies by region) through fun, exciting hands-on learning.

Northlands Primary School, Principal, Alistair Naidu, highlighted that this milestone reflects the school’s long-term vision to create a future-focused, learning environment grounded in STEM.

“This achievement stands as one of the proudest moments in the history of our school. The Smooth Sailors have demonstrated a combination of discipline, imagination and resilience. Their invitation to represent our country abroad, is a testament to the calibre of education and the spirit of excellence that defines our learners, our school and our community. We are inspired by their success and we are fully committed to supporting their journey”, said Principal Naidu.

The school’s Coding and Robotics lead educator, Mr Steven Kent, together with Coach Mr. Daryn Mahabeer have been central to the growth of the programme.

“What the Smooth Sailors achieved this weekend, reflects countless hours of deep thinking, collaboration and unwavering commitment. These learners pushed their creative and technical boundaries to deliver innovation at a national level. Representing South Africa is a tremendous honour and we are ready to raise the standard even higher as we prepare for the world stage”, said Mr. Kent.

In addition, coach Mahabeer praised the school, parents, staff and volunteers for this unwavering commitment and contributions to the school’s educational values and ongoing competitions.

“We are really grateful to our school, our parents and sponsors who have been generous with their time and resources. Our team has shown exceptional courage and problem solving ability throughout the season. Their ability to convert complex engineering challenges into elegant solutions is remarkable. Winning the Champions Award and placing fourth in the country, reflects their grit and curiosity. South Korea will be the next frontier and we are ready to showcase South Africa’s brightest young innovators, watching them pave the way for the future generations”, said Mr. Mahabeer.

To afford the South Korean trip, Northlands Primary is launching an ambitious fundraising initiative to raise one million rand. This will support travel, accommodation, training, resources, equipment, upgrades and all associated logistical requirements.

Media sponsor, Titanium Media South Africa (TMSA), represented by Director Sheetal Cross, who is also the parent of team co-captain Kirthan Cross (12), praised the parents’ contributions, coaches and team’s performance in Johannesburg, describing it as “exceptional”.

“Over the past four years, the cultural diversity among the children, within the team, have been one of its greatest strengths. In a world shaped by artificial intelligence (AI), coding and robotics are essential skills and Northlands Primary has opened meaningful opportunities for learners to excel in these fields”, said Cross.

The school is calling on parents, sponsors and community partners to join in supporting this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, for the learners to represent South Africa on the global stage.

The Smooth Sailors will now begin an intensive preparation phase, as they ready themselves to compete among the world’s leading robotics teams in July 2026. Their achievement stands as a source of immense pride for Northlands Primary and affirms the transformative impact of STEM education for young innovators.