Bright start for the first day of school

Many learners across Durban South donned their school uniforms for the first time as they prepared for their first day of school.

January 14, 2026

Dillon Pillay Less than a minute

Triplets posing for their first day of school. — Triplets Wandile, Sandile and Lwandile Ndlovu from Fynnlands Primary School celebrate their first day of school. Photos: Dillon Pillay and Andile Sithole.

TINY tots from around Durban South donned their school uniforms for the first time as they started their first day of Grade One and R today (January 14).

Also read: In Pics: All smiles for the little ones on their first day of school

The SUN team visited various primary schools in the Durban South to capture all the big smiles.

Grade One teacher at Bluff Christian Academy, Michelle Venter, with her two new excited learners Mambulandile Gqutyana and Nsika Hlongwane.

Excited parents Makhosi Mbonambi and Sabelo Sibisi drop off Melokuhle Sibisi for her first day at Dirkie Uys Primary School.

Bluff Christian Academy’s Nkanyezi Dlamini dives into some of the books in the reading corner.

Captaining his journey in Grade R at Fynnlands Primary School is Mikhail Wilson.

Fynnlands Primary School’s Grade 1 teacher Requell Maistry with her new learners Jaylen Jones, Asemahle Ngwabe, Bronwen Colby and Hayden Marilier.

Bushlands Primary School welcomed new learners Sarah Mashinini and Maxmilian Iheme and new Grade 1 teacher Vicky van Niekerk.

Bushlands Primary School’s Grade 1 teacher Anneke Allers with her learners Kalen Ogle, Nkanyezi Cele and Ndumiso Myeni.

Grade R learners Abigail Koster, Akhanya Cele and Alina Gilbert from Fynnlands Primary School show off their best back to school poses.

Bluff Christian Academy’s Ziphozenkosi Gumede was eager to get her books looking pretty.

Dirkie Uys Primary School’s Layla Stoffels shows her excitement.

Fynnlands Primary School’s Grade R learners Luphelele Shangase, Lisalenkosi Sikhakhane and Mhlengi Chili have fun in the sandpit.

Grade 1 learners at Assegai Primary School show their big smiles and excitement for their first day of school.

Grade 1 teacher Farhana Naidoo from Fynnlands Primary School embraces Kara Starkey and Che Manique.

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January 14, 2026

Dillon Pillay Less than a minute

Dillon Pillay

He is a relatively new face in the journalism scene as he just recently graduated. He has a Bachelor in Journalism degree with a major in television. As a journalist at Southlands Sun he focuses on a variety of beats of news from hard news to social events and sports. He works as a multimedia journalist utilising his love for the camera and social media to good use.