Unisa law students put advocacy skills to the test at inter-regional moot court competition

Unisa law students tested their legal knowledge and courtroom skills when the Black Lawyers Association Student Chapter (BLASC) hosted its 2026 Inter-Regional Moot Court Competition at the Durban Magistrate’s Court on 12 September.

The final, held in Courtroom 11 before a full bench, brought together finalist teams, coaches and members of the Unisa Durban law community. The event also included the awards ceremony for the 2026 Law Essay Competition.

The competition bridges the gap between legal theory and courtroom practice by allowing students to research legal issues, prepare heads of argument, and present their cases under conditions that reflect court proceedings.

The 2026 competition was held under the theme “Where advocacy meets action”, with students required to apply their legal knowledge in a simulated courtroom environment.

The selection process began with 28 students undergoing training before the field was reduced to 12. Eight finalists then progressed to the final, where they presented their heads of argument and argued the merits of the case before the bench.

The finalists were:

• First applicant: Lindokuhle Zondo and Lisa Zungu
• Second applicant: Khanyisa Mahono and Nobuhle Shange
• First respondent: Khwezi Ndlovu and Asanda Hlongwa
• Second respondent: Andiswa Simamane and Scelo Ngidi

The case used for the competition was Hammars10 and Another v Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd and Another, Case No. 353/2026, in the High Court of South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal Division, Durban.

The matter involved administrative and constitutional law questions arising from service-delivery and infrastructure decisions affecting the Hammarsdale community, including access to electricity. It allowed the students to develop and present arguments in a complex, multi-party dispute.

The final was presided over by Nontuthuzelo Memka, Advocate Jabu Thobela-Mkhulisi and Cyril Sandile Zondi.

The three practitioners brought experience from legal practice, judicial work and professional development to the competition.

L-R: The Moot Court Judges: Mr Cyril Sandile Zondi (Zondi J), Adv Jabu Thobela-Mkhulisi (Thobela-Mkhulisi J), and Nontuthuzelo Memka (Memka J)

Memka is an admitted attorney and judicial officer based in Durban and the founder and director of M Memka Attorneys Inc. She has also served in leadership and governance roles within the legal profession and has worked with Unisa law students over several years.

Thobela-Mkhulisi is an advocate of the High Court and acting judge based in Durban. She practises primarily in maritime, commercial and property law and serves on the Black Lawyers Association KZN Executive Committee.

Zondi is the Senior Director and lead attorney at CS Zondi and Associates Inc., with experience in civil, corporate and commercial law, insolvency, business rescue and estate planning. He is also an acting magistrate and Deputy Secretary of the BLA KZN.

Students were supported by a team of legal practitioners and coaches, including Celinhlanhla Magubane, Mlibatisi Mlandvo Shabangu, Pearl Makhanya, Percy Dube and Lindokuhle Hlongwane. Their preparation focused on developing students’ legal research, drafting and advocacy skills.

Following deliberations by the bench and adjudicating panel, the competition awards were presented by Thobela-Mkhulisi.

Best Team: First Applicant, Lindokuhle Zondo and Lisa Zungu

Best Heads of Argument: Second Respondent, Andiswa Simamane and Scelo Ngidi

Best Oral Advocates: Andiswa Simamane and Khanyisa Mahono

The competition also created an opportunity for students in higher certificates and diploma programmes to develop their legal research and writing skills through the BLASC Legal Essay Writing Competition.

The essay competition winners were Sinenhlanhla Nondumiso Manya in first place, Liyema Mekana in second and Nomusa Nosipho Mbonane in third.

The moot court and essay competitions form part of BLASC’s efforts to expose Unisa law students to practical aspects of legal work while developing research, writing and advocacy skills.

For the finalists, the competition provided an opportunity to move beyond classroom-based legal theory and apply their knowledge in a courtroom setting, preparing them for the demands of legal practice.

* By Mduduzi Ndunakazi, Regional Communications and Marketing Officer, Unisa KwaZulu-Natal Region