S5 E18: The National Schools Moot Court Competition: Evolution, Challenges, Impacts and Future Prospects with Mr Likho Bottoman

In conversation with Mr Likho Bottoman

The National Schools Moot Court Competition is an annual event organised by the Department of Basic Education in partnership with the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development under the guidance of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). Between 5 October and 8 October 2023, the preliminary rounds were held at the University of Pretoria, Hatfield Campus and the Grand Final was held at the Constitutional Court in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. The competition aims to create greater awareness in schools and communities in South Africa about the Constitution and the values that it embodies through active participation. 

In this episode, Africa Rights Talk speaks to Mr Likho Bottoman on the inspiration behind the National Schools Moot Court competition. He goes on to discuss the evolution of the competition since its inception, the key challenges faced organising this competition and highlights the most memorable moments and key achievements of the competition. Also, he discusses the key impacts this competition has had on the young orators and communities across South Africa and the future he imagines for the competition.

 

Likho Bottoman is an occupational therapist by profession and currently the Director for Social Cohesion and Equity in Education at the Department of Basic Education. He graduated from the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in South Africa and later obtained a Master of Education in Inclusive Education (Cum Laude) from the University of Johannesburg (UJ). He is currently a PhD candidate at UJ. Likho joined the then National Department of Education in 2008 as an Assistant Director: Health Promotion, responsible for School Health Services. His work involves promoting human rights, nation building, peace-building, equity and equality issues, gender equality, issues around decolonisation of basic education, and promoting active citizenry among young people as part of the whole agenda of child and youth agency.  He has been working on the National Schools Program for almost 12 years now, which was implemented with the South African Human Rights Commission and the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.

 

This conversation was recorded on 05 October 2023.

 

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