Africa University School of Law Comes Out Tops In Africa, Earns Spot at Prestigious Price Media Law Moot Competition in Oxford, UK

Africa University (AU)’s School of Law is now firmly positioned among the continent’s elite after emerging victorious at the African Round of the prestigious Price Media Law Moot Court Competition, one of the world’s foremost competitions on media law, freedom of expression, and the regulation of the press.

AU now proudly carries the mantle of representing the continent at the World Round in Oxford, UK, where they will face teams from Asia, North and South America, and Europe — an achievement made even more significant by the fact that no Zimbabwean team has qualified for the Price Media Law Moot World Round since 2019.

Under the guidance of the Head of Department for Procedural Law Mr Victor Nkiwane, the four-member AU team comprising Munashe Jumbe, Nokutenda Makono, Joseph Matanda and Martha Gamhi, was also ably supported by Takudzwa Rusike and Audrey Opiyo.

Dean of the School of Law, Dr Tendai Nhenga believes this victory reflects not only their mastery of legal concepts but also their ability to think critically, argue persuasively, and collaborate effectively as a team.

“Such an accomplishment highlights the immense talent within our faculty and reaffirms our commitment to nurturing the next generation of legal practitioners who will undoubtedly make meaningful contributions to the field. Congratulations to the winning team, as well as to their coach, Mr Nkiwane and also the AU management and supporting units whose continued support has played a pivotal role in this success. May this win inspire more students to strive for excellence and engage in opportunities that shape their legal acumen and leadership skills. I am very confident that this team will leave an indelible mark when they compete at the world stage in April,” she said.

Battling some of Africa’s strongest teams, including from South Africa in the semifinals and Nigeria in the finals, the quartet demonstrated remarkable poise and legal acumen.

“The moot problem centered on complex issues surrounding freedom of expression and media rights, particularly the state’s power to limit these rights through digital surveillance and interception of communications. It required strong knowledge of international treaties and key decisions from regional and international tribunals. During oral arguments, students were challenged to think critically and respond to probing questions, and the judges commended our team for their deep legal knowledge and clarity in applying the law. The team is fired up for the World Round in Oxford and promises to raise the AU flag high,” Mr Nkiwane said.

The team’s efforts were crowned with both team and individual honors with Jumbe named Best Speaker in Africa, earning the title for his exceptional performance in the preliminaries and the finals. His mastery of argumentation and poise under pressure reflects the high standards of excellence cultivated at AU.

“This competition is about more than winning. It is about developing powers of

expression, courageously presenting ideas, and ensuring that the human voice is never silenced. The road to victory tested our resilience, but it has strengthened our commitment to excellence,” Jumbe said.

Third-year student, Rusike enjoyed the privilege of serving as a student coach and mentor for the moot team. “It was an enriching experience to work with intelligent and hardworking mooters whose dedication and discipline made this achievement possible. This victory is a true manifestation of the preparation, resilience, and consistency the team demonstrated throughout the competition. One key lesson from this journey is that there is no substitute for hard work, and consistency remains the foundation of excellence. I am proud to have been part of this success,” he said.

The Price Media Law Moot is widely regarded as the leading international moot competition challenging participants to craft sophisticated legal arguments, respond spontaneously to judges’ questions, and demonstrate mastery of the nuances of human rights law in practice.

As the team prepares to represent Africa at the world stage, the achievement reflects AU School of Law’s extraordinary promise. It is a story of perseverance, skill, and historic significance — one that will inspire generations of future legal scholars and advocates from Zimbabwe, Africa, and beyond. From submitting memorials under pressure to standing atop the African podium, these AU students have shown that even a young law school can deliver brilliance on a global stage.

Next stop for the team, Oxford, UK!