The University of the Free State (UFS) has celebrated a milestone after its Faculty of Law sent its first all-women team to compete at the 33rd Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot in Vienna, Austria.
The participation marked a historic first for the faculty and formed part of its 18-year involvement in one of the world’s leading international commercial arbitration competitions.
Tsholofetso Mahasa, Lefran Smith, Mapadi Shantel Molato and Sharonrose Bolaji represented UFS, and the team tested their legal knowledge and advocacy skills against competitors from the University of São Paulo, the University of Tamil Nadu, the University of Sarajevo and Leuphana University of Lüneburg.
The students were guided by practising attorney and former UFS Vis Moot participant Adriaan Jean Vermaas throughout the competition, alongside Prof Elizabeth Snyman-Van Deventer, who has been involved in coaching the university’s moot teams for the past four years.
The faculty’s international exposure extended beyond Austria. Through its partnership with Africa in the Moot, UFS has participated in a Kenya-based moot programme since 2025, creating additional opportunities for students to gain international legal experience.
As part of this initiative, Smith and Bolaji travelled to Nairobi with Coach Veronica Plaatjies. Their participation was fully funded by Africa in the Moot.
The Kenya programme also included a range of professional development activities. Plaatjies attended the ArbitralWomen Lunch and Diversity Toolkit Training, hosted during the 5th East Africa Pre-Moot and Arbitration Conference. The sessions focused on promoting diversity, inclusion and gender representation within international arbitration.
Since joining the Vis Moot programme in 2008, UFS has seen more than 100 students represent the institution. Former participants have gone on to become members of Parliament, advocates, attorneys and legal practitioners working both in South Africa and abroad.
The accomplishment of this year’s team reflects the faculty’s ongoing commitment to developing globally competitive graduates and expanding opportunities for future legal professionals.
Compiled by Sibongile Selomane
