UKZN Takes on Africa’s Top Human Rights Moot Court

BY: .

Click here for isiZulu version

The School of Law, part of the College of Law and Management Studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), proudly took part in the prestigious 34^th Christof Heyns African Human Rights Moot Court Competition.

This year’s event was hosted at the University of Cape Town from 29 June to 5 July 2025.

This annual competition brings together top Law faculties across the continent to argue a hypothetical human rights case before a simulated African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights. This year’s case focused on critical themes including migration, statelessness, and political rights.

Representing UKZN were Ms Owethu Mthethwa and Ms Jodine Fraai, both fourth-year LLB students from the Howard College campus. Competing in the English-speaking category, they demonstrated impressive skills in legal research, written submissions and oral advocacy, appearing before panels comprising leading academics, practitioners and jurists from across the continent. Their performance marked a proud moment for UKZN, distinguishing them in a highly competitive field and reaffirming the University’s commitment to nurturing legal talent.

Mr Matthew Kimble, lecturer in the School of Law, organised the team’s participation, accompanied the students to Cape Town, and served as a judge during the preliminary rounds of the competition. Reflecting on the experience, he said: “Owethu and Jodine demonstrated remarkable resilience, growth and professionalism throughout the week. It was a privilege to witness their confidence develop in the face of tough rounds and to see them engage critically with some of the most urgent human rights challenges on the continent. They carried the UKZN flag with pride and promise.”

Proud of their performance, Mthethwa and Fraai agreed that participating in the Moot Competition was an exhilarating experience.

Fraai said: “I gained such valuable insights and skills from interacting with various legal minds across Africa, exchanging ideas and perspectives. The experience was phenomenal and left me highly motivated!”

“Not only was my brain fed but my desire for Law as well. Being part of the All Africa Moot competition was both a thrilling and fulfilling experience. I’m grateful to UKZN for making this happen,” commented Mthethwa.

The Dean and Head of the School of Law, Professor Freddy Mnyongani, congratulated the students and Law academics for representing UKZN well in the Moot Competition.

“UKZN’s continued participation in the African Human Rights Moot Court Competition forms part of its broader vision to advance human rights education and social justice across Africa. Through their engagement in this high-level forum, Ms Mthethwa and Ms Fraai not only deepened their understanding of continental legal systems, but also served as excellent ambassadors for the University,” said Mnyongani. 

Words: NdabaOnline

Photograph: Supplied