The 2026 edition of the Public Interest Law Moot Court Competition has crowned its winners, closing off a highly competitive and intellectually rigorous contest that continues to shape South Africa’s next generation of public interest lawyers.
Hosted annually by the Centre for Applied Legal Studies and the Student Litigation Society, the competition brings together top law students from across the country to engage with complex constitutional and human rights issues through written and oral advocacy.
The overall winners of this year’s competition are Anele Desi and Sandiselwe Zwane from the University of the Witwatersrand, who secured first place following strong performances in both the written and oral rounds.
Second place was awarded to Lettah Moobi, Sfiso Mashala and Sello Mohlele from the University of Fort Hare. The team also received recognition for their written advocacy, having been awarded best heads of argument.
In third place were Nkosi Mnyamana, Nhloso Maluana and Reoemetse S representing the University of South Africa, followed by Lerato Salelwayo, Bayanda Bayola Fana and Henny Mmatsodi Laka from the University of Johannesburg, who placed fourth.
Individual awards were also announced. Sandiselwe Zwane from the University of the Witwatersrand was named best oralist, while the runner-up best oralist award went to Lettah Moobi from the University of Fort Hare.
The Grande Finale of the competition was held at the Constitutional Court with the panel of judges consisting of Justice Dambuza, Deputy Judge President Sutherland, Judge Adams, Magistrate Motshega, Prof Madonsela, Adv Suleman, Adv Bhima, Adv Tlale, Ms Smit and Mr Poshodi.
A keynote address was delivered by Prof Thuli Madonsela, which engaged the role of the law in promoting social change. Prof Madonsela left us with the quote: “Let justice be done, though the heavens fall.”
The competition, hosted annually by the Centre for Applied Legal Studies and and the Student Litigation Society , continues to serve as a platform for developing advocacy skills among law students while engaging with contemporary constitutional and public interest issues.
