Aimed primarily at Grade 9 and 10 learners from all provinces, the programme seeks to equip young people with knowledge of human rights concepts, values, and principles, while encouraging learners—especially those from previously disadvantaged communities—to pursue careers in law.
Participants gain essential skills in public speaking, research, writing, legal reasoning, and case analysis. The final rounds are a culmination of seven months of provincial rounds that saw around 300 schools participate in this constitutional literacy programme.
The final rounds will be adjudicated by judges of the Constitutional Court, Supreme Court of Appeal and High Courts. This year’s moot problem focuses on the growing prevalence of online harms affecting children, including cyberbullying, online sexual exploitation and abuse, exposure to harmful or inappropriate content, as well as unsupervised contact with unknown adults. Learners will debate whether it is constitutional for a school to include a clause in its Cell phone and Internet Policy that limits learners of a specific age from accessing social media platforms whilst at school premises and during school hours.
Media Invitation
Members of the media are invited to attend and cover both sessions of the competition as follows:
Part 1: Preliminary Oral Rounds
Dates: 01 – 02 October 2026
Time: 09h00
Venue: University of Pretoria, Hatfield Campus.
Part 2: Grand Finale
Date: 04 October 2026
Time: 09h00
Venue: Constitutional Court, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Media Confirmations
Please confirm attendance with Ms Dudu Diraditsile at 072 512 4023.
Media Enquiries
Mr Wisani Baloyi
Communications Coordinator
South African Human Rights Commission
? 081 016 8308
Mr Terence Khala
Acting Director: Communication and Research
Department of Basic Education
? 081 785 1546
Ms Palesa Rammitlwa
Spokesperson: Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development
Department of Justice and Constitutional Development
? 064 933 3628
Issued by the South African Human Rights Commission in partnership with the Department of Basic Education and the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.