Emeris University Showcases Young Legal Minds at National Moot Court Final
By Thembi Moyo
The Faculty of Law at Emeris University marked a proud milestone with the 2025 National Moot Court Final, hosted at the university’s Ruimsig Campus. The event brought together aspiring young legal minds, industry professionals, and academic leaders for an evening that celebrated excellence, advocacy, and the pursuit of justice.
In her welcome address, Head of Law at the Ruimsig Campus, Melisa Chawaremera, described the occasion as a celebration of vision and collaboration. She reflected on how the Moot Court facility was created to give students more than a classroom to learn in but a courtroom to grow in. “When my team and I first requested a Moot Court venue at Ruimsig, we wanted to build a space that mirrors the realities of practice a place where confidence and critical thinking can be tested alongside theory,” she said. Chawaremera expressed gratitude to the campus management team for supporting the initiative and acknowledged the individuals who made the project possible. “The Moot Court now stands as a physical testament to what shared purpose and teamwork can achieve,” she added. She also reminded students that the competition is not just about winning, but about courage, integrity, and growth. “Our students are the heart of why we do what we do. This experience is about learning to stand up and be heard.”
Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Law, Dr Sharna-Lee Clarke, congratulated the four finalists who emerged from a field of more than 500 first-year students across all campuses. She said the Moot Court Final was a reflection of the Faculty’s commitment to experiential and transformative learning. “At Emeris, we believe that law is not only to be studied as a set of rules but to be lived as a practice of reasoning, advocacy, and service,” she said. “Mooting bridges theory and practice, develops critical thinking, and instils the confidence every lawyer needs.”
The Moot Court forms part of the Faculty’s Work-Integrated Learning programme, where students argue fictional cases before a panel of experienced judges. Through this process, they learn to research legal issues, draft formal arguments, and present their cases under pressure skills essential to any future legal professional.Dr Clarke noted that beyond competition, the experience plants important seeds. “For some, it will ignite a lifelong passion for courtroom advocacy; for others, it might inspire a love for justice, research, or teaching. Whatever path they choose, the discipline and skills they have developed will serve them throughout their careers.”
Representatives from the legal profession, government departments, and media, including LexisNexis, the Department of Justice, the Helen Suzman Foundation, and the Joburg Gazette / Inner City Gazette, attended the event in support of the initiative. Their presence underscored the strong link between academia and the legal industry in shaping South Africa’s next generation of lawyers.
The evening concluded with applause for the four finalists Thabelo Reabegoga Magabe Varsity College Pretoria, Josh Ross Hollins Varsity College Pretoria, Hope Karaha Varsity College Cape Town, and Chloe Clarke Varsity College Cape Town who showcased exceptional poise and professionalism in their presentations. Their achievements represent the heart of the faculty’s vision: producing graduates who are not only skilled and knowledgeable but principled, thoughtful, and prepared to contribute to justice in society.
