Promoting Justice System Awareness Among Learners

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Tuesday, 31 October 2023 could not have been a better send-off for the high school participants of the Luthuli Museum-UKZN School of Law Schools Moot Competition.

No efforts were spared in moulding and preparing them for the auspicious day; and when the spotlight shined on them, they thrived! 

The Luthuli Museum and UKZN School of Law partnership affords a select group of Grade 11 pupils from communities associated with the Museum the opportunity to expand their knowledge of the law, focused especially on Constitutional rights pertaining to learners. They are put through training over the course of six to seven weeks where they get to learn about the law, but more importantly, how to use it (the law) when arguing legal questions before a court. 

The training sessions held on Saturdays are led by a group of final-year LLB students who partake in this programme in fulfilment of their community legal and human rights training for their Street Law module. They are tasked with researching and designing lesson plans on a chosen topic, followed by 25-hour training for their stakeholders using participatory methodology that is focused on how to respond when rights are violated. 

The 2023 Luthuli Museum Schools Moot Competition comprised 14 learners who were selected from partner schools, Velabahleke High School and Vukuzakhe High School in Umlazi, Durban. All participants showed enthusiasm to be part of the programme, especially because finalists would get to present legal oral arguments in front of a magistrate. The overall winning student would walk away with a R20 000 cash prize, committed by the School of Law towards their studies should they choose to undertake an LLB at UKZN. 

In the build-up to the finals, the learners were presented with a practical scenario for which they had to draft legal essays - one in favour of the appellant, and the other in favour of the respondent. For the quarter and semi-finals, teams were afforded the opportunity to present their arguments orally, drawing on a variety of sources of law to support their arguments. Mr Lungani Shangase and Ms Yoliswa Mdlangathi from Velabahleke High School made it through to the finals, where they argued before a bench of “judges” from the School of Law - Professor Willene Holness and Dr Annie Singh. 

The day of the competition was attended by students and teachers from the two participating schools, parents of the participants, Mrs Veli Luthuli representing the Luthuli family, Luthuli Museum Public Relations Officer, Ms Zinhle Nyembe, and Finance Officer, Mr Jula Ncwane. The Acting Dean and Head of the School of Law, Professor Warren Freedman, presided over the awarding of certificates and the winning scholarship, supported by School of Law lecturers, Dr Janine Hicks, Convenor of the Street Law programme, and Mr Matthew Kimble, co-ordinator of the Moot programmes at the School of Law. 

All participants showed great excitement, although only two had been chosen to showcase the skills that they had acquired. They impressed the judges and the audience. Selecting the winner was a tough call as the judges stated that both participants had excelled in their presentations. 

Shangase was announced as the winner and accepted the scholarship offer from Freedman. All participants were awarded certificates of participation and tokens of appreciation and were commended on their fine performance. 

Shangase, Mdlangathi, Mr Kgomotso Hlasa, Mr Sbongakonke Mthembu, Mr Khulasande Nyathikazi, Mr Amkele Ngcobo, Ms Sbahle Mabaso, Ms Sbahle Mzimela, Ms Luyanda Xulu, Ms Aphile Ntshayintshayi, Ms Ntandoyenkosi Mbhele, Mr Sizwe Ngcobo, Ms Okuhle Sibiya and Mr Nhlakanipho Shandu were the fourteen recipients of the programme certificates. Shandu of Vukuzakhe High School was awarded the Dux award for Best Student by the team of Street Law students for his active participation and dedication during the training sessions. 

Mrs Veli Luthuli commended the Luthuli Museum and the School of Law for this wonderful partnership. 

Words: Khayelihle Mkhize

Photographs: Nkosikhona Gcabashe