Zimbabwean students speak about their World Moot Court win

Two law students at Zimbabwe’s Midlands State University are still basking in glory after winning this year’s 17th Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition held at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.

They were crowned champions in a competition that was co-organised by the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, the Academy on Human Rights, Washington College of Law, American University, and the United Nations Human Rights Council Branch at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

During the competition, which took place last month, teams put forward arguments about a hypothetical case focusing on human rights. This year, the case addressed the rights of migrants and asylum seekers, gender identity, and privacy violations in law.

The latest achievement of the two students comes a year after they won Africa’s biggest moot competition; the Christof Heyns African Human Rights Moot Court Competition.

Michelle Chiwanga (MC), a fourth-year, and Watson Somerai (WS), a fifth-year student, spoke to University World News on how their arguments trumped those of their peers who are studying law at some of the most prestigious universities in the world.

UWN: Tell us a bit more about yourselves.

MC: I was raised in a tight-knit family with the steadfast idea that I can achieve anything I truly want – if I am determined enough.

So, my family has been integral to my journey, especially my dad. Though a specialist surgeon by profession, he possesses a childlike wonder for knowledge.

His love for learning and sharing what he has discovered has been invaluable to me, especially in law, where there is quite literally legal reasoning in everything. That thirst for knowledge and curiosity about the world has been a tremendous asset.

He would sit and debate with me for hours, treating me as an equal, probing my arguments for weaknesses on any topic. This experience is the main reason I can speak confidently in front of large audiences, regardless of their age or accolades.

Whether mentoring young students or competing in moots, I thrive on tackling tough problems and finding ways to make things better.

WS: My goal has always been to contribute to development from a legal perspective. Outside of law, I am a highly passionate poet and I am actively involved in life skills development training for young leaders. I co-founded a consultancy to that effect in February 2025 – the Luminari Leadership Lab.

UWN: Why did you participate in this competition?

MC: The second moot I ever took part in was the Christof Heyns African Moot Court Competition held in Rwanda last year, alongside one of my best friends, Watson Somerai.

Looking back, it feels like a beautiful way to complete the circle: from African champions to world champions.

WS: My decision to participate in the 17th Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition was inspired by the need to take up a new challenge, as well as to continue building from previous experiences.

Specifically, Michelle Chiwanga and I participated in and formed part of the winning team of the 33rd Christof Heyns African Human Rights Moot Court Competition last year. The experience stirred in us an intense passion for human rights. With my participation this year, I aimed to cultivate that passion and interact with the discipline of human rights law beyond the African context.

UWN: What gave you an advantage over the other competitors?

MC: Many of our competitors have had the advantage of being taught by the very authors of the textbooks we study. While that experience has its own benefits, I don’t believe that, in the digital age, we are at a disadvantage.

There is an abundance of information available online and, with the support of our institution, Midlands State University, we were sufficiently equipped to prepare and compete effectively.

You enter the moot with very specific, well-researched arguments, but once those arguments face the scrutiny of opposing teams and the expert judges, the real challenge begins.

It requires revisiting your research, refining, and sometimes amending your arguments under intense time pressure. This process is mentally taxing, especially during such an intense competition week.

What made a difference for us was taking the judges’ feedback seriously, not just the explicit comments, but also the implied ones. By thoughtfully applying this feedback, we were able to adapt and improve continuously throughout the competition, which gave us an edge against our exceptional international peers.

WS: We were able to understand the key areas of contention in the case, which allowed us to rise to the occasion, especially during the tough moments. And like everything else in life, there is no substitute for preparation. Throughout the competition, we allowed ourselves to learn during and after each session, taking down notes and improving our arguments at every stage.

UWN: How did you prepare for the competition?

MC: For the memorial drafting phase, we started with detailed legal research, exploring relevant laws, treaties, and case law, to build a solid understanding and anticipate opposing arguments. We also reviewed past judgments and expert commentary to strengthen our grasp of complex legal points.

However, all this had to be balanced alongside exam cycles, lectures, work deadlines, and other extracurricular commitments, which made the process challenging at times. In order to manage this, we delegated tasks and made it a point to consistently go through each other’s work and provide feedback.

Every moot court competition we participated in prior to this one was integral to refining our skills and building the confidence needed for competition at this level.

WS: The foundational preparation was having studied the module on Human Rights Law in the third year. The African competition in 2024 provided good experience and set the tone for what to expect at the international level.

The general preparation included a comprehensive reading of the statement of facts, relevant case law from international, regional, and national bodies, general comments, and relevant texts in the field of human rights.

UWN: What issues were covered in this year’s competition?

MC: The issues touched on key themes such as immigration policies ; the state’s obligations concerning self-identified gender recognition and the protection of non-binary individuals in gendered detention facilities; and the legality of unilateral sanctions under international law. The case required deep legal analysis and thoughtful advocacy on matters of jurisdiction, admissibility, and substantive human rights principles before an international tribunal.

WS: The key issues revolved around immigration law, particularly the protection of refugees and asylum seekers. The legality of surveillance and autonomous algorithmic processing of data for asylum seekers and refugees, particularly in the absence of procedural safeguards, was also relevant. The final issues focused on the legality of unilateral sanctions insofar as they affected the enjoyment of fundamental human rights.

UWN: What part of this competition was most challenging?

MC: One of the most challenging parts of the competition was managing my natural tendency toward meticulousness. I have a habit of wanting to read the entire textbook instead of summaries, and the full case rather than just the relevant paragraphs.

While this thoroughness is often a strength, in a deadline-driven environment like a moot court competition, it is not. It led to many sleepless nights. Learning to balance that urge with the need for efficiency and adequate rest was difficult but necessary.

WS: The most challenging part of the competition is the very high threshold in terms of thinking on one’s feet. The judges at every stage played their role perfectly well; they posed relevant, challenging questions, and there were times when we were faced with questions that we had not anticipated, which made giving persuasive responses a bit difficult. However, we were able to make the best of what we had.

UWN: Are there any important lessons you learned during the competition?

MC: Although my corner of the world is beautiful, the world itself is much bigger and truly worth exploring. I had the privilege of meeting people from all over the globe, each with their own unique ways of navigating challenges and carrying such ardent passions that I couldn’t help but be inspired by the grandeur of their dreams.

WS: The most important lesson is that moot court competitions are much more than competitions; they are a platform to learn and interact. The moot proposition, or case, mirrored contemporary human rights issues, and the competition came as a wake-up call that there is a need for more legal minds to join in the effort to protect human rights. There is still a lot to be done from a legal perspective.

UWN: Any advice you can give to future participants of this competition?

MC: When preparing for a moot, always break down the task into manageable parts. Start by leading with the law and then marry it clearly to the facts. Conduct thorough research, and be open to constructive criticism as it will sharpen your arguments and presentation. Put your best foot forward and don’t do yourself an injustice by under-preparing.

Remember, mooting is about much more than just the competition itself. It’s about the people you meet, the community you build, and the inspiration you take back home, which may shape your future pursuits.

WS: Firstly, conceptualise your arguments, then break them down. A good legal mind must be able to explain the most complex arguments in the simplest way possible. Secondly and most importantly, always learn as much as you can before, during, and after the competition, and be open to networking. Thirdly, do not just look at the competition as a competition; always ask yourself, “How will this experience contribute to shaping me into a better legal mind?”