Smooth Sailors First LEGO League team to represent South Africa in South Korea

The Northlands Primary School is in celebratory mood as 12-year-old Kirthan Cross, a co-captain of the Smooth Sailors First LEGO League (FLL) team, prepares to represent South Africa at the upcoming LEGO League Challenge championship in South Korea in July.

The Smooth Sailors made an impression at this year’s annual national competition, themed “Unearthed,” and held at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in Johannesburg, over the past weekend.

With perseverance and teamwork, the Smooth Sailors clinched the prestigious Champions Award, finishing fourth in the country, which confirmed their participation at the upcoming world event.

Kirthan said he was proud of his team's efforts, which included journeying through triumphs and challenges.

“I’m so proud to be able to represent South Africa in South Korea. I’ve always wanted to compete internationally in an FLL competition, and this is the chance I’ve dreamed about,” he said.

“The competitions are always filled with an amazing atmosphere, and I relish the opportunity to learn and share ideas with other teams.” 

Cross said his team has made a habit of collecting accolades, which included several first-place finishes in various categories across different competitions.

His teammate, 12-year-old Jaiden Mutila from Montrose Primary School, echoed similar sentiments about the importance of collaboration and innovation in the LEGO League.

“My experience at the national competition was unreal, especially when they announced that we qualified for the international competition in South Korea,” Jaden said.

“This was a significant step into my future, and the competitive spirit we share makes it incredibly enjoyable,” he said.

Coach Daryn Mahabeer credited the success of the Smooth Sailors to the support of the school, parents, and sponsors.

He said: “The team has shown remarkable courage and problem-solving abilities throughout the season.”

He added, “Their capacity to turn complex engineering challenges into elegant solutions is simply inspiring. Winning the Championship Award and ranking fourth nationally exemplifies their tenacity and curiosity.

"South Korea will be our next frontier, where we aim to showcase South Africa's brightest young innovators,” said Mahabeer.

The Champions Award recognises teams that are able to embody the essence of the LEGO League Challenge, demonstrating excellence in robot performance, design, and innovation while fully embracing the core values of discovery, innovation, impact, teamwork, and inclusion.

The programme also introduces children aged 5 to 16 to the realms of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) through interactive, hands-on learning.

Northlands principal, Alistair Naidu, praised the Smooth Sailors' achievement as a defining moment in the school's history.

He said: “Their invitation to represent our country abroad is a testament to the quality of education and the spirit of excellence that characterises our school and our community.

We are inspired by their success and are committed to supporting their journey.”

The school's Coding and Robotics lead educator, Steven Kent, alongside Coach Mahabeer, have been pivotal in nurturing the programme's growth.

Kent said: “The Smooth Sailors’ outstanding results reflect countless hours of collaboration and commitment.

"They have pushed creative and technical boundaries to deliver innovation at a national level. We are ready to elevate our standards even higher as we prepare for the international competition.”

DAILY NEWS