It is every parent’s wish to see their children excel in every aspect.
And when that happens it brings joy, elation and pride.
This is the story of one parent — Loraine Tendai Divire — whose 18-year-old daughter is among the Zimbabwe Moot Team that was recently capped world champions in May this year.
To earn their latest badge, the team of 11 high school boys and girls beat the Netherlands in the European Moot Court Championship in Romania at the weekend.
In the preliminary rounds they faced Scotland, The Netherlands, Romania, Switzerland and Bulgaria.
Could the win have anything to do with President Mnangagwa’s boost of US$30 000 the team received ahead of the Euro Champs? Well that is the story of another day.
What is clear though is that teamwork makes the dream work.
The team comprises Ruvimbo Simbi, Palesa Sigauke, Hazel Chiige, Karl Makahamadze, Kudzaishe Makoni, Rosa Gwisai, Chiyevo Mukonoweshure, Tadiwanashe Choto, Kuziva Khuleya, Sharon Maranganwa and Angelinah Thulo.
“Tadi is my last of three daughters. As her mum right from the beginning I made a conscious decision to fully immerse myself in Tadi’s activities be it social, academic or extra curricula,” Ms Lorraine Tendai Divire explained.
“We (are) very close and are really good buddies. She has made me proud not only in her academic achievements but also in her character formation and the standards and principles she’s set for herself.
“She is very ambitious and yet has a big and generous heart and is always ready with a smile or a lending hand. She’s a big giver too. Does not think twice to share whatever she may have.”
Tadiwanashe Leilani Choto is studying Upper 6 Honours at the Dominican Convent High School.
“Regards the Moot Court Team journey it’s just been an uncanny experience that started off during this year’s April school holidays.
“The training hours and times have been at times punishing and at first we both were rather wary of where all this was leading. We both had heard and knew of Moot Court. Tadi is a huge Harvey Spectre fan from Suits and even from a tender age we would be driving and discussing and debating all manner of subjects.”
She continued:” She’s a very analytical person and quite intuitive. Anyway when she told me she had been nominated into the 1st Zim High Schools Moot Court I was excited for her given position as President of the School Debate Society and told her to give it a go and that it would add to her Debate flair.
“That’s when the whirlwind of long days, short nights, odd hours and together with the help of the amazing Sr Kudzi of the Dominican Convent Harare, Ms Paundi the Debate TIC they helped ease some of the burden of the journey.
“My hats off too to Coach Nqobile Dube affectionately called Coach Q by the team who adeptly not only introduced the kids to the technical facets of Law but managed to ingrain it into them in such a short time.
“Thanks to Coach Richard Mazhambe the Dominican Convent High Debate coach who has continued to sharpen not only Tadi but the entire team in fine double edged minds. A special mention of Coach Christopher Ndlovu who was Tadi’s first Debate Coach in Form 1 who even back then when Tadi was still an unsure and bungling young debater he already saw the diamond in the rough which he polished to be in the top 10 speakers Senior category in Mwalimu Nyerere Invitational International Debate tournament when she was still a Junior in Form 2,” she said.
“And also the Dominican Convent High School were the winners of the competition.
“She’s participated in several international tournaments receiving different awards in each and I guess winning the World High Schools International Moot Court Championship and now the European Moot Court Championship is the culmination of all the hard work and effort she’s put in and the entire team, they put in the work.”
For those not in the know, Moot Court is a simulation of actual court proceedings.
The team was commended for its clarity in arguments, presentation and style which won them the crown.
Zimbabwe is the first African country to win both titles.
The 11-member group, who made history, includes students from the Dominican Convent, Midlands Christian College, Arundale School and Peterhouse.
The competition was handled by judges and a famous lawyer of the International Criminal Court.
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