By Kgomotso Ramotsho

The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC) has congratulated Team South Africa (SA) for winning the Fifth International School Moot Court Competition in Poland on 31 January. In a statement released by the SAHRC, the SAHRC stated that at the beginning of 2019, it became the lead institution in presenting the National Schools Moot Court Competition (NSMCC) with its main partners being the Department of Basic Education, as well as the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, providing opportunity to grade ten and 11 learners to participate in the NSMCC.

The SAHRC stated that it sees the NSMCC as the perfect platform for raising human rights awareness among learners, their friends and relatives – with the NSMCC being the major focus of the commission’s constitutional promotional mandate of human rights for the 2019/2020 financial year. The NSMCC introduces these leaners to the Constitution and human rights. Team SA participated in the human rights-centred contest where they defeated Team USA from New York City in the final round after earlier wins against competitors from Bulgaria, Romania, Mongolia, St Maarten and Venezuela. The competition, which took place in Poland, simulated litigation before an international tribunal under the topic ‘Scene of conflict over the past decade in Tabanath.’

Team SA was chosen from a number of contestants who participated in the NSMCC in September 2019 and the team consisted of –

• Sarushka Naidoo and Caitlin Schwarer from Eden College;
• Nondumiso Ntshangase and Nosipho Dube from Mathubesizwe High School;
• Mihlali Stofile and Ondele Bede from Holy Cross High School; and
• Okhela Sigwela and Lizalise Dlomo from Hudson Park High School.

The nation brims with pride and hope that South Africa’s constitutional democracy and respect for human rights remains secure in the hands of future generations, particularly with the country’s youth representing SA so well internationally, the statement said.

In a statement released by the Presidency, President Cyril Ramaphosa congratulated Team SA on winning the Fifth International School Moot Court Competition. It stated that President Ramaphosa said that the learners’ victory is an achievement to be celebrated by all South Africans. ‘Team South Africa has made our country proud again and our learners’ triumph demonstrates that when learners, educators and parents work together, we can achieve great things’.

President Ramaphosa added: ‘This victory also tells us that our schools are effective in preparing young South Africans for life beyond the classroom and beyond the borders of our country. This should inspire all of us to work even harder to secure better education outcomes for all leaners across our country.’

Kgomotso Ramotsho Cert Journ (Boston) Cert Photography (Vega) is the news reporter at De Rebus.