TUT Law students shine among Africa’s best legal minds

Competing against final-year LLB and postgraduate law students from some of Africa’s most established universities, two Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Diploma in Law students delivered an impressive performance at one of the continent’s most prestigious legal competitions. Their achievement highlights the strength of TUT’s practical legal training and reinforces its growing reputation for producing career-ready graduates.

Reitumetsi Moholola and Lesedi Potse, final-year Diploma in Law students. Reitumetsi Moholola and Lesedi Potse, final-year Diploma in Law students, represented TUT at the 35th Christof Heyns African Human Rights Moot Court Competition held in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, from 26 July to 2 August 2026.

Organised by the University of Pretoria's Centre for Human Rights, the competition is widely regarded as Africa’s premier student law contest. This year’s event attracted participants from nearly 51 universities across the continent, including the University of Cape Town, the University of Pretoria, the University of South Africa, Makerere University, GIMPA, the University of Fort Hare and the University of the Western Cape.

Moholola and Potse competed against predominantly fourth-year LLB and postgraduate students from leading law schools across Africa. The duo achieved an impressive average score of 76%, demonstrating exceptional legal knowledge, advocacy and analytical skills.

Their performance stands out, given the calibre of institutions represented. Top-performing universities included Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, which emerged as continental champions, as well as Makerere University and the University of Lagos.

Moholola and Potse’s achievement reflects the quality of TUT’s Diploma in Law qualification. Registered at NQF Level 6, the programme equips students with both theoretical knowledge and practical legal skills, preparing graduates to contribute meaningfully from their first day in the workplace.

TUT was the first university in South Africa to introduce a three-year paralegal qualification and continues to encourage practical legal training through annual participation in national and international moot court competitions.

Moholola and Potse’s participation also highlights the Department’s strong focus on simulation-based learning. Practical legal training forms an essential part of each year of study, enabling students to apply legal principles in realistic scenarios.

Moot court competitions provide students with valuable opportunities to develop legal research, advocacy, critical thinking and legal writing skills. Participants learn to construct persuasive arguments, respond confidently to judicial questions and work effectively as part of a team, all skills highly valued within the legal profession.

Their performance strengthens TUT’s presence on the continental legal stage and demonstrates that Diploma in Law students can compete successfully alongside peers from well-established law schools across Africa. International moot court competitions also serve as important indicators of educational quality, enhancing institutional visibility and showcasing academic excellence.

Participation further supports TUT’s commitment to producing future-ready graduates. Employers recognise moot court experience as evidence of practical competence, professionalism and workplace readiness.

The competition also creates opportunities for collaboration between universities, legal professionals and institutions across Africa, contributing to valuable academic and professional networks.

Prof Tinyiko Maluleke, Vice-Chancellor and Principal, has consistently emphasised TUT’s commitment to developing graduates who can create opportunities, solve problems and contribute meaningfully to society. Moot court competitions cultivate many of these attributes, including critical thinking, adaptability and effective communication.

Moholola and Potse’s achievement reflects the calibre of TUT students and academic programmes. As TUT advances its Institutional Strategic Plan 2026-2035, successes such as this continue to showcase the University’s commitment to student success, academic excellence and graduate employability.

• Adv Tshilidzi Khangala is a Lecturer, Programme Coordinator and Acting Head of Law, Safety and Security Management, TUT.