SARAO celebrates local talent as Carnarvon’s Sharpshooters dominate at the FIRST LEGO League Robotics competition

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The air at Carnarvon High School was electric on Saturday, 01 November 2025 as the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) hosted the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Northern Cape Regional Competition.

Under loud cheering and support from family, friends and community members, the event was a spectacular showcase of young talent, bringing together 24 teams from Brandvlei, Williston, Loxton, Vosburg, Carnarvon, Sutherland, and Kimberley for a thrilling day of robotics and innovation.

On photo: Milisa Kentane (Manager Communications and Stakeholder Relations, SARAO), Jeanine Mathison (Coach), Kilermo Gouws, Courtney Links, Chantel Mathison (Schools programme, SARAO), Patricia Gouws (FIRST SA Grant Manager), Sylvia Van Der Wiel (Head referee), Eugenio Nuwegeld, Farren Louw, Aunt Louise Boesak (Sharpshooters Expert)

In a history-making moment, Team 1, the Sharpshooters from Carnarvon, set a new national record for Robot Performance with a staggering score of 455 points! This incredible achievement not only secured them the 1st Place Robot Performance trophy but also earned them the overall 1st Place Champion’s Award.

The competition was fierce, but the teams from Carnarvon demonstrated exceptional skill, taking home the top prizes across all major categories.

Official Award Winners

Congratulations to all the teams for their hard work and incredible spirit. A special congratulations to our 2025 award winners:

  • Champion’s Award (1st Place): Team 1, Sharpshooters (Carnarvon)
  • Champion’s Award (2nd Place): Team 19, Northern Predators (Carnarvon)
  • Core Values (1st Place): Team 22, City Sweepers (Carnarvon)
  • Innovation Project (1st Place): Team 12, Genesis (Kimberley)
  • Robot Design (1st Place): Team 16, Circuit Breakers (Carnarvon)
  • Robot Performance (1st Place): Team 1, Sharpshooters (Carnarvon) – Score: 455 (new national record!)
  • Robot Performance (2nd Place): Team 6, Cyber Squad (Carnarvon) – Score: 230
  • Coach/Mentor: Gift Nemakonde (SPU)
  • Breakthrough: Team 4, Autobots (Brandvlei)
  • Engineering Excellence: Team 8, Thunderbolt (Brandvlei)
  • Rising All-Star: Team 14, Electra Exploras (Kimberley)
  • Motivate: Team 2, Code Crushers (Carnarvon)

On to the Nationals!

The journey doesn’t stop here! We are thrilled to announce the six teams advancing to the South African National Championship at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in Johannesburg during the first week of December 2025.

Good luck to the following teams:

  1. Team 1: Sharpshooters (Carnarvon) – Eugenio Nuwegeld, Farren Louw, Kilermo Gouws, Roswell Pipes, Courtney Links
  2. Team 12: Genesis (Kimberly) – Anam Bohlale Ncala, Tumisho Msiza, ⁠Jonathan Tsoanhae, Jabulani Radebe, Tlotlo Landry, Giovanni Edwards
  3. Team 22: City Sweepers (Carnarvon) – Mxolisi du Preez, John-Dre Klaaste, Granecia Malgas, Danwill van der Berg
  4. Team 15: The Terminators (Tetlanyo High School, Kimberly) – ⁠Ofentse Mosesane, Boitumelo Gontse, Nigel Mazambara, ⁠Florence Phiri, Thato Moeng
  5. Team 16: Circuit Breakers (Carnarvon) – Shervodian Farmers, Lincoln de Wee, Jerome Visagie, Sharon Malgas
  6. Team 19: Northern Predators (Carnarvon) – Logan Nyl, Oswald Smith, Jamie-Lee Mienies, Lee-Shay Appies

We will be cheering you on as you represent the Northern Cape on the national stage!

A massive thank you to our team

This inspiring event is part of a long-running programme led and supported by SARAO Human Capital Development Programme and driven by the passion of Chantel Mathison, Professional Officer in the Schools Programme and the event organiser.

An event of this scale is impossible without dedicated partners and volunteers. SARAO extends its deepest gratitude to every judge, referee, scorekeeper, queuer, and coordinator who gave their time and expertise to make the day a resounding success.

Our 2025 heroes:

  • Organiser: Chantel Mathison
  • Head Judge: Patricia Gouws
  • Head Referee: Silvia van de Wiel
  • MC: Simphiwe Madlanga
  • DJ: Jeffrey Dyasi

Judges:

  • Project: Refilwe Ditlholelo, Virgillian Kasper, Ronel Strong, Eva Mamabolo
  • Robot: Thurlo Maritz, Nkosinathi Sambu, Gift Nemakonde, Isaac Moeng
  • Core Values: Lizelle Cloete, Thabang Maretela, Amy Linde

Referees:

  • Filliciano Skippers
  • Rohan Schwartz
  • Tino Mabulana
  • Liyono van Wyk
  • Chantel Mathison
  • Keotshepile Modise

Event staff & volunteers:

  • Score Keepers: Alex Smith, Malissa de Bruin, Joleen Moeng
  • Practice Table: Eugene Nuwegeld, Sifundo Gumede
  • Media: Mulalo Masisi
  • Registration/Team Queuer: Ndifikile Magaudeni, Bongiwe Mayekiso, Fredirico Meletta

Congratulations once again to all participants on an unforgettable competition. The future of STEM in the Northern Cape is brighter than ever!

Click here to watch the movie of the event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ezou0euJ6DA

Related posts:

Tesla Minions Triumph at 2023 FIRST Lego League Northern Cape Robotics competition SARAO proudly supports two Robotics teams from Carnarvon at inaugural FIRST LEGO League Open Africa Championship