Orate Africa Trust Moot Court Competition 2023

Sacred Heart High School was invited to the Orate Africa Trust 2nd edition Moot Court Competition that was held at the High Court of Lesotho on the 1st of April 2023. The Orate Africa Trust is a trust whose main objective is organising public speaking competitions for high school students around Africa, and is headquartered in Gaborone, Botswana.

Mooting is an activity done by law students around the globe as a way of sharpening their oration; their ability to make logical, sane and sound arguments. Our boys took on the task of sharpening and enhancing both their oration and research skills by entering this competition. It was not an easy task, but nothing discouraged these young men, as they held on strong and paid no attention to naysayers. They are really resilient and goal oriented young men. Preparations included drafting memorials, their arguments on paper, and their oral arguments.

Sacred Heart High School had two teams; a team being made of two students each:

Akhona Ntoyi (Grade 11) and Dingiswayo Bohale (Grade 10) as Team 011
The head prefect Tefo Chalatsa (Grade 11) and his team mate Lenanya Matle (Grade 9) as Team 027

14 teams were registered from different schools. The competition was stiff, however our boys, with the unwavering support, coaching, sacrifices and assistance of their teacher, Mrs. ‘Manalane Nalane and a former Sacred Heart High School student and lawyer, Advocate David Putsoane, made it to the semi-finals alongside Montessori International School, National University of Lesotho International School (NULIS) and New Millennium International School, placing at number 4 in general. It is also worth noting that our boys placed at the top 10 best oralists with Akhona Ntoyi at number 4 and Dingiswayo Bohale at number 9.

This was a very educational and exhilarating experience for our boys with the problem of the Moot competition centering around gender-based violence, protection of minority groups and violence against children. The understanding and comprehension of human rights emanating from their research is a guarantee that our boys emerged different men. They are a generation of action takers. The world has more people concerned with the injustices faced by people who cannot stand up for themselves and are willing to break the silence.

P.S. We are coming stronger the next competition! We are proud of you boys. You soared above with eagles and did not waver.