This annual competition for Grade 10 and 11 learners from all provinces is a collaboration between the Department of Basic Education (DBE), the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJ&CD) and the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). The Moot Court Competition was initiated to empower and encourage learners to understand and relate to human rights concepts, values and principles, and afford them an understanding on how the Constitution and the law work.

The competition started with 12 schools from district level and Mbilwi was among the four best schools to represent the Limpopo Province at the start of the competition in October 2021. The winners, however, were only announced recently and the prizes delivered to the school on Monday, 12 September.

Andisa, a Grade 11 learner at Mbilwi, also wants to pursue a degree in law after school. She proudly said that ending up as the runner-up team had opened up doors of opportunity for them. “We were hosted face to face with other learners from different provinces, allowing us to converge at the Constitutional Court. The oral argument presentation exposed us to the real court setting, where we were able to express ourselves in front of judges. Meeting the judges also created an opportunity for interaction, learning good practices and establishing new relationships between the different people,” she said.

As runner-up team, they won medals, certificates, personal trophies and a school trophy.

Source: Zoutnet