Fast friends, Lwandle Xaba and Abongile Mkhungo and twins, Azania and Asante Mhlongo. Photos: Nikhil Gopichand
THE FIRST day of school brings with it a whirlwind of emotions for learners, parents and teachers alike, with excitement, nerves, uncertainty and hopefulness coming to a head. On January 14, fresh-faced Grade Rs and 1s embarked on the first steps of their schooling journey, joining returning learners just a day after the matric class of 2025 collected their final results.
Fast friends, Lwandle Xaba and Abongile Mkhungo made one another’s first day of school all the more special. Photo: Nikhil Gopichand.
Khethelo Nyawose set off to class after following Umbogintwini Primary School’s Grade 1 tradition of ringing the bell. Photo: Nikhil Gopichand
Abusiswa Mabuza happily rang the bell to mark her first day at Umbogintwini Primary School. Photo: Nikhil Gopichand
Azania Mhlongo gave her twin brother Asante a push on the slide. Photo: Nikhil Gopichand
Twins, Onako and Owethu Ngcamo, took the Grade R play area for a swing on their first day at Doon Heights Primary School. Photo: Nikhil Gopichand
Pint-sized pair of twins, Simile and Portia Mthembu enjoyed the Grade R play area on their first day at Doon Heights Primary School. Photo: Nikhil Gopichand
Athlone Park Primary School’s Sarika Sukhunandan, Meegan Brown and Demi Clark. Photo: Supplied
Cairo Chetty, Saira Pillay and Sbanisenkosi Mlaba at the Athlone Park Primary School play area. Photo: Supplied
Acting principal of Athlone Park Primary School, Edwina van Blerk, cuts the ribbon, officially kicking off the school year. Photo: Supplied
Fast friendships formed as little ones met their peers for the first time. The learners explored their new stomping grounds with curiosity before settling into their classes and learning who will be teaching them everything they need to know to form a firm junior primary foundation.
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With just over three years in community journalism, he is relatively new to the scene. He has a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in English Literature and Psychology. With the South Coast Sun, he focuses on a wide berth of beats, covering human-interest, sports and hard news stories. He has a particular affinity for photography, and a deep love for learning about people and the community.
