18| July 2025
In a dazzling triumph that has sent ripples of pride across Zimbabwe and the African continent, Midlands State University’s Faculty of Law has been crowned World Champions at the 17th Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition in Geneva, Switzerland.
The resounding victory, secured against formidable global contenders including runner-up Nacionale Universidad de Columbia, has not only elevated MSU’s stature but also burnished Zimbabwe’s reputation as a beacon of excellence in higher education.
The dynamic duo of Watson Tonderai Somerai and Michelle Patricia Chiwanga, under the astute guidance of coach Mr. Claudios Makwara and Executive Dean Dr. Amanda T. Mugadza, delivered a masterclass in legal advocacy, outshining 80 participating teams from across the world.
Their journey to the pinnacle began with meticulously crafted memorials, advanced through gruelling online preliminary rounds in May 2025, and culminated in a commanding performance before the finals in Geneva, where they stood tallest among the 24 best teams.
This historic win marks only the second time an African institution has claimed the coveted title, following Strathmore University of Kenya’s 2020 triumph—making MSU’s achievement a testament to Africa’s rising legal prowess.
The competition, organised by the Centre for Human Rights, South Africa, is a prestigious platform that tests the finest legal minds on global human rights jurisprudence, and MSU’s victory underscores Zimbabwe’s intellectual vibrancy on the world stage.
Adding to the grandeur of the occasion, Zimbabwe’s diplomatic and legal luminaries rallied behind the team in a powerful show of national solidarity.
Her Excellency Ambassador Ever Mlilo, MSU Law alumna and Permanent Representative of Zimbabwe to the UN; Minister Counsellor Monica Vimbayi Hanga; and Mrs Vimbai Nyemba, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice and former President of the Law Society of Zimbabwe, graced the semi-finals and finals, their presence a resounding endorsement of the team’s brilliance.
Watson Somerai further distinguished himself as the 7th Best Oralist in the competition, while the team’s recent victory at the 2024 African Human Rights Moot Court Competition in Kigali, Rwanda, had already signalled their exceptional calibre.
This triumph is more than a trophy—it is a bold declaration of Zimbabwe’s academic excellence, a celebration of African ingenuity, and a clarion call to the world that Midlands State University stands among the finest.
As the MSU flag flies high in Geneva, so too does the Zimbabwean spirit, unyielding and unstoppable.
Congratulations to the MSU Faculty of Law—true champions, true ambassadors, true pride of a nation.