UFH Aspiring Legal Eagles soar at this year’s Internal Moot Court Competition

Submitted by Aretha Linden on Tue, 13/08/2024 - 12:53
Read time: 2 mins

The University of Fort Hare (UFH) once again showcased the exceptional talent and dedication of its law students during this year’s Internal Moot Court Competition held this past weekend.

Hosted by the Fort Hare Moot Court Society, the annual competition brings together law students who research, draft, and present hypothetical legal cases to a panel of judges, simulating real courtroom scenarios. This event highlights the students' growing legal acumen and reinforces UFH’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of legal professionals.

After rigorous preparation, the aspiring legal eagles gathered at the Nursing Science Building on the East London campus to demonstrate their prowess and passion for the field of law, reflecting the university’s high standards and commitment to academic excellence.

In the Junior and LLB Extended Curriculum Programme categories, eighteen teams presented a hypothetical legal case related to water shedding, where the state imposed water restrictions due to failures in maintaining water systems, exacerbated by corrupt activities.

For the senior category, participants presented a case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on behalf of Palestine in the ongoing armed conflict between Israel and Hamas-led Palestinian militant groups in the Gaza Strip and Israel.

The winners were announced as follows:

  • Extended Curriculum Programme: Asiphe Mnengi (Best Oralist) and Unakho Mkhutshwa
  • Junior Category: Christian Buthelezi (Best Oralist) and Babalwa Mofokeng
  • Senior Category: Ntokozo Nqetho, Chumani Booi, and Sibusiso Msomi (Best Oralist)

The winners received prizes sponsored by Prof. Nomthandazo Ntlama-Makhanya, an esteemed UFH Public Law Professor who has presided over numerous cases as an Acting Judge in various courts across the country.

Ntlantla Valtein, a final-year LLB student and member of the Fort Hare Moot Court Society, who recently returned from Geneva, Switzerland, where he and his co-counsel, Lilly Kuhle Mbengo, placed 14th in the prestigious Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition, expressed his enthusiasm about the growing number of participants in the competition.

“The increase in interest is driven by the collective effort of all society members, who diligently fulfill their roles to achieve the society's goal: to lay a strong foundation for our fellow law students, enabling them to excel in the field after graduation.”