Northlands Primary “Daisy Crossing” Brightens Up School Drop-Off Blues
Good Things Guy | 23.02.2026 21:00
Mornings in Durban North just got a little brighter, as one local school added petals to bring more awareness to its zebra crossing and tackle the daily school drop-off traffic congestion.
Durban, South Africa (23 February 2026) – School morning traffic, with its snaking queues and drop-off jams, can be a real schlep, but one that often just can’t be avoided.
It is a growing frustration for parents and motorists in Durban North lately, and one that Northlands Primary School is trying its best to mitigate – through traffic control efforts and one bright daisy at a time.
“Over the past week, there have been some very negative comments about traffic congestion around the schools in our area. Managing traffic at drop-off and pick-up for a school is enormously frustrating for anyone living near a school. It is frustrating for the schools, too,” Northlands shared in a recent post.
The school shared that through its stop-and-go zones and marshals, it tries its best to manage the drop off of over 1,000 children in a short space of time, as well as the collection of those same children later in the day by parents, school transport companies, taxis and even Uber drivers.
While cooperation from motorists varies, Northlands Primary School often experiences great difficulties in getting traffic to flow smoothly. Though they haven’t thrown in the towel.
The school not only extended its empathy to the many neighbouring schools in the vicinity but also, in a very light-hearted effort, decided to create awareness around a very sensitive topic. Two teachers paired up to draw attention to the Zebra Crossing by turning it into a “Daisy Crossing”.
“Our resident artiste, Mrs H, aided by Miss Sparks, set her magic fingers to painting and created a field of daisies for our children to cross safely …. and to make us smile. Because everybody knows that daisies make us happy!”
The Daisy Crossing is inspired by a similar design on Strand Street in Cape Town, which is a tactical urbanism intervention that highlights pedestrians, slows traffic, and transforms one of the Inner City’s busiest corridors into a safer, more welcoming place to walk.
“It’s a reminder that small, thoughtful actions can reshape our city, creating a space with care, creativity and hope for all. So, if you are driving by, look for it and remember that we are all trying our best. It is sure to make you smile.”
