The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJ&CD) congratulate the winning team, and equally wish to recognise the gallant efforts of the participants, Yibanathi Mzili and Ahlume Ntaka from Ndabankulu Senior Secondary School in the Eastern Cape Province, Lesedi Nakedi and Mica’h Peter Arendse from Tygerberg High School in the Western Cape Province, for being the runners-up of the moot court programme. The best oralist accolade went to Yibanathi Mzili, whom Justice Leona Theron described as dynamite, with a huge voice and stature.

Held at the Constitutional Court, this grand finale was adjudicated by Constitutional Court Justices Leona Theron, Nambitha Dambuza and Annali Basson, and judge Moleboheng Mdalana-Mayisela of the Gauteng Division of the High Court. Speaking on behalf of the judges, Justice Leon Theron acknowledged the tremendous work the teams put in and praised their excellent presentations, responses to questions from the bench, and knowledge of the law.

The 15th Edition of the Moot Court’s hypothetical question was whether it is constitutional for a school to include a clause in its Cell Phone and Internet Policy that restricts learners of a specific age from accessing social media platforms on school premises during school hours.

In his opening remarks, Commissioner Tshepo Madlingozi paid tribute to the late Professor Christof Heyns for his vision of high school learners participating in the moot court as part of human rights advocacy and constitutional literacy. The Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Grwarube, congratulated learners and emphasised the importance of constitutional literacy in schools, asking learners to reflect on questions such as ‘what is justice?’ and whether society applies the same rules for people from diverse backgrounds. Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Ms Mmamoloko Kubayi reminded learners of the Constitutional Hill precinct's historical significance. The Minister recognised that the Constitutional Court is not merely a courtroom; it is a shield of society’s most fundamental rights.

The SAHRC, DBE and DOJ&CD encourage all schools to participate in this life-changing human rights and constitutional literacy programme to ensure that learners, the future leaders of tomorrow, are equipped with constitutional literacy, knowledge of human rights, and the skills to assert their rights. We thank the teachers, mentors and parents, for this year’s participation.

ENDS