African Representatives of the Manfred Lachs Space Moot Competition, Midlands State University (MSU) made it to the Semi-finals of the World finals. Leiden University of The Netherlands eventually won the Moot Competition, edging out George Washington University at the finals of the global competition. Leiden University also clinched the prize for Best Memorials, with George Washington University’s speaker winning the Best Oralist award.
MSU represented Africa as they emerged as the 2022 African regional rounds winner. Due to the pandemic, the African regional round was virtual. The team from MSU comprised Team Coach Ntandoenkosi Moyo, Panashe Mujegu, Namatai Katsande, and Eunah Ndou.
Eight schools participated in the African regionals, with MSU coming first. Nigeria’s Babcock University and the University of Pretoria were first and second runners-up. In addition to the primary awards, the University of Pretoria emerged as the institution with the Best Memorials, and MSU’s Namatai Katsande clinched the Best Oralist award. Other participating institutions were Makerere University, University Of Zimbabwe, University of Fort Hare, Obafemi Awolowo University, and the University of Ibadan.
The IISL’s Lachs competition is unique because the International Court of Justice judges preside over the World Final. The world finals competition takes place within the IISL’s annual Colloquium. The colloquium is an event in the International Astronautical Congress which holds on a different continent each year. The Lachs competition offers an unparalleled learning experience to all teams at all levels in a fair and cordial environment.
