Emmanuel Kafe and Obey Musiwa
ZIMBABWE’S latest crop of teenage intellectual champions returned home to a heroes’ welcome yesterday after conquering Europe in a gruelling international Moot Court competition in Romania, with the achievement being hailed as a demonstration of power of the country’s heritage-based education system.
The eight-member Zimbabwe National Moot Court Team was received at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport by Government officials, parents, school representatives and supporters following their historic victory over France in the final of the European Moot Court Championship.
The triumph saw Zimbabwe emerge tops against teams from France, the Netherlands, Greece, Estonia, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Moldova, Azerbaijan, the Czech Republic and hosts Romania.
The team was the only African delegation in the competition.
Among those welcoming the students was the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Director of Communications and Advocacy, Mr Taungana Ndoro, who said the achievement was a source of immense pride for the country.
“We are here as the Government of Zimbabwe and through the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. We are happy, and we are proud of the achievements that have been made by the Zimbabwe Moot Court,” he said.
Mr Ndoro attributed the success to the leadership of the country and the heritage-based curriculum being implemented in Zimbabwe’s schools. “This is through the benevolent leadership of President Mnangagwa, who has made it very possible for us to have a heritage-based curriculum that is top of the world, that is gold in the world,” he said.
“Our team here managed to beat all European countries. Well done!”
He said the competition had been gruelling, with the Zimbabwean students having to overcome strong opposition before defeating France in the final.
“We are really proud that it was a gruelling competition where they had European teams like Greece, the Netherlands and other teams, but they swept them aside. In the final they were with France, and they swept it aside,” he said.
Mr Ndoro said the performance had demonstrated the quality of Zimbabwean education and the potential of young people nurtured under the country’s education system.
The achievement was the culmination of months of preparation by the teenagers, who were selected from about 200 applicants following national trials. The final team comprised four boys and four girls drawn from six schools.
Team captain Tinodaishe Cole Makwiranzou of St John’s College said the victory was a powerful message to young Zimbabweans.
“I would just like to thank our general sponsors, NetOne, for enabling us to go on this tour. I’d like to thank our parents. I’d like to thank our schools for supporting us,” he said.
He urged young people not to allow the size of a challenge to determine their ambitions.
“There’s no challenge too big for the youth, and with resilience, with courage and determination, anything can be achieved, whether locally or on the international stage,” he said.
The team included two 13-year-olds, Mukudzei Collen Junior Mharadzano of Milestone College and Sarah Arielle Msipa of Celebration International School, who competed against older students. Other members were Amyra Jain of Hellenic Academy, Ziyanda Inzwirashe, Madison Zawe and Giovanni Tawananyasha Nyatsambo of Tynwald High School, Tafadzwa Samuel Mwagura of Milestone College and Courtney Falees Joseph of Bulawayo Adventist School.
Behind the victory was an intensive training programme led by head coach Advocate Nqobile Dube, founder of Ideas Matter Academy, supported by assistant coach Natasha Dhliwayo.
Because the students were based in different parts of the country, much of the preparation was conducted online, with training sessions often running from 6pm to 10pm.
The students had to balance the demanding preparation with school work and examinations.
In Romania, they faced a simulated International Criminal Court case involving complex questions of international criminal and humanitarian law. The competition required the students to deliver timed oral submissions before judges who could interrupt them and challenge their arguments. Adv Dube said the achievement was evidence of the talent that exists among Zimbabwean young people.
“We are incredibly, incredibly grateful for all the support that we have received from the parents, from different schools, as well as from the Government. This would not have really been possible without all the enormous support that we have received,” he said.
He said the young champions represented the enormous potential of Zimbabwean youth.
“When you see all these young people here, just know that this is a testament to the talent that exists in this country. Zimbabwe can do amazing wonders that will shock the world,” he said. The team received US$12 000 sponsorship from NetOne, while parents and other supporters helped meet additional travel and logistical costs. Parent representative Mr Collen Mharadzano, father of the youngest participant, 13-year-old Mukudzei, said parents were proud of the students’ achievement.
“Our gratitude to the kids themselves for this wonderful feat which they did. Well done, well done. Our kids, on behalf of the parents, we are all happy,” he said. The victory adds to Zimbabwe’s growing record in international moot court competitions and provides yet another example of young Zimbabweans excelling on the global stage.
