On 28 June 2018, a UP Law moot court team consisting of two speakers, Simon Botha (LLB III) and Simon Motshweni (LLB II), coached by Ruvimbo Samanga (BA Law, LLB IV) and  Lawrence-John Maralack (LLB IV) participated in and won the 2018 African Regional Rounds of the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition held at the Department of Trade and Industry. 

The competition is one that the University of Pretoria participates in every year, and the topic in question for this year’s moot concerned laws relating to and regulating the peaceful uses of the outer space environment, with specific reference to the process of terraforming and creating earth-like conditions on other celestial bodies, and the conflicts ensuing therefrom between two states.The teams’ preparation included the drafting of Memorials or written arguments in time for submission deadline, along with preparations in presenting oral arguments.

The competition started off with the UP team representing South Africa competing against Nigeria. A stellar presentation was given by both speakers arguing on behalf of the Respondent, who went on to compete against the Ugandan team in the second round, arguing for the Applicant.

The team who had believed they had represented their university well and done their best eagerly awaited the moment when the two teams advancing to the final rounds would be announced. The time came, and it was announced that South Africa (represented by UP) had advanced to the finals and would be competing, once again, against Uganda. The finals were held on 29 June 2018, where the UP team arguing on behalf on the Applicant, gave stellar oral presentations in the final round. The UP Moot Team, representing South Africa, had in fact won the African Regional Rounds and also scooped the award for Best Memorials.

The team will now be advancing to the International Rounds in Bremen, Germany, to be held in October 2018, hosted by the International Institute of Space Law, where they will be representing the entire African Region against the other regional winners. The Faculty of Law wishes the team nothing but success as they represent the University of Pretoria, South Africa and the entire African Region at this competition.