EC pupils take SA Moot honours

Hudson Park and Holy Cross High School pupils flew the Eastern Cape flag high when they teamed up to win the National High Schools Moot Court Championships.

As the court ended at the University of Pretoria on Sunday, the EC team emerged victorious over 31 teams from all provinces.

On September 14, 10 Eastern Cape schools had battled it out for provincial honours and to move on to the nationals.

Provincial education department director for social cohesion, school enrichment and safety programmes, Ntsikelelo Vazi, said: “Of the schools that took part in the provincial competition four proceeded to the nationals, which were Hudson Park, Grens, Beaconhurst and Mthatha’s Holy Cross.”

Mihlali Stofile and Ondela Bede from Holy Cross High School in Mthatha, and Lizalise Dhlomo and Okhela Sigwela from Hudson Park in East London came out on top of the 10 schools shortlisted for the provincial oral rounds on September 14.

Dhlomo said: “Okhela and I first heard about moot court in 2018. This year we decided to give it a shot and submit a qualifying essay.”

Sigwela said: “It was more of a learning experience for us.”

Vazi said: “The Eastern Cape learners will represent South Africa in the international championships at the Hague in the Netherlands in January 2020. And the department will be funding the trip.”

Funeka Jwaai, the provincial education department coordinator, said: “The main aim of competition is the promotion and preservation of constitutional rights.”

BY: ANELISA MTSHIZANA

SOURCE: TMG DIGITAL