The SAHRC as mandated by the Constitution, has an obligation to promote, protect and monitor the attainment of human rights as set out in Chapter Two of the Bill of Rights.
The Department of Basic Education views the Moot Court Competition as a platform to raise awareness across school communities in South Africa about the Constitution and the values that is embodied through active participation. At its core the aim is also to encourage talented young people to consider pursuing careers in law. This competition provides a unique opportunity for learners to develop their research, writing and oral advocacy skills as they come to grips with some constitutional issues presently being faced by the country.
The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development as the custodian of the Constitution, has an oversight on the legislative development and plays a significant role in enabling access to justice and promoting Constitutionalism, human rights and the rule of law.
Through effective promotional mandates, the SAHRC, the DBE and the DOJ&CD are able to capacitate learners to have agency in protecting and ensuring that their own human rights and those of others are respected.
Established in 2011, the National Schools Moot Court Programme originated as a joint project of the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria, the Department of Basic Education, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development and the Foundation for Human Rights. In 2019 the South African Human Rights Commission took over the competition as its flagship human rights advocacy project.
The 2022 Problem Statement delves into the story of Denga High School, a public school situated in the Limpopo Province. The school is one that is fully functional but is plagued by unintended and unplanned pregnancies which have of late resulted in drop outs amoungst female learners.
In response, the school has adopted “the Denga School Pregnancy Policy” which is identical to the Department of Basic Education’s Policy on Management and Prevention of Learner Pregnancy in Schools (DBE Pregnancy Policy).
The 2022 NSMCP began earlier this year with grade 10 and grade 11 learners writing an essay which this year delves into the story of Denga High School, a public school situated in the Limpopo Province. The school is one that is fully functional but is plagued by Unintended and unplanned pregnancies which have of late resulted in drop outs amoungst female learners.
Top performers from the various provincial rounds will participate in the National finals which will commence on Thursday the 6th of October 2022, with teams arguing the human rights issues as they pertain to the problem statement against one another. The grand finale will be held on Sunday, 9th October 2022, at the Constitutional Court, Constitutional Hill, Braamfontein. The finalists will get the opportunity to argue before real Constitutional and High Court Judges where they will not only demonstrate their thinking and oratory skills, but also their understanding of both the Bill of Rights and human rights generally.
The NSMCP continues to be the perfect platform for raising human rights awareness among learners and the public at large, as it introduces grade 10 and grade 11 learners to the Constitution and human rights. NSMCP is a crucial human rights learning platform considering that these concepts now form part of the formal DBE’s school curriculum in South Africa.
The SAHRC, DBE and DOJ&CD invites members of the media and the public to be part of this innovative programme.
Members of the public can follow the grand finale proceedings live on the DBE Open View Channel 122. Grand finale proceedings will also be live streamed. Stream link to be shared on the SAHRC, DBE and DOJ&CD social media platforms.
NB: Members of the media are invited to cover the programme.
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Issued by the South African Human Rights Commission, Department of Basic Education and the Department of Justice & Constitutional Development.
Wisani Baloyi – Acting Communications Coordinator Tel: 081 016 8308 – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Alucia Sekgathume – Media and External Communications Tel: 082 689 2364 – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Terence Khala – Media Relations Officer: Department of Basic Education – 081 758 1546 - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.