Legal giant Sternford Moyo bows out

Prominent lawyer Sternford Moyo died in Harare on Friday after a brief illness. He was 68. The first African president of the International Bar Association (IBA) was revered globally as a skilled lawyer and leader in the legal profession. He joined Harare-based law firm Scanlen and Holderness in 1981 after graduating with distinction from the University of Zimbabwe and held numerous high-profile corporate directorships. The Zimbabwe Mail reports that he was also recognised for his contributions to mining, commercial, and corporate law. Moyo held several senior IBA roles, including council member, management board member, and co-chair of the IBA’s Human Rights Institute. He also served as a trustee of several IBA-established entities. In the corporate world, Moyo held chairman positions at Delta Corporation, Schweppes Zimbabwe Ltd, and Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe Ltd, among others. In a ceremony dating back centuries, Moyo was formally admitted as a Freeman of the City of London on 28 September 2022 at Chamberlain’s Court. Legalbrief reports that Sir David Wootton, former Lord Mayor of the City of London, who nominated Moyo, said ‘he has already contributed so much to the international legal sector, and his commitment to the rule of law is something very much shared by the City of London’. IBA Executive Director Dr Mark Ellis noted that Moyo became President of the IBA in January 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic. ‘It was a challenging time for all but, as always, Sternford would not be deterred from furthering the message of the importance of human rights and the rule of law, needed more at that time because of governments clamping down on citizens’ freedoms. The London City Corporation tribute is fitting recognition of Sternford’s dedication, even in a trying environment, to upholding the values of the legal profession that in turn uphold democracy.’ Moyo’s contributions to legal education included teaching corporate, commercial, and constitutional law and participating in the University of Oxford’s Media Law Advocates training programme. His legacy is marked by his support for democratic and constitutional development in Zimbabwe. 

Moyo also served on the board of Alpha Media Holdings (AMH). AMH board chairman Muchadeyi Masunda saluted the immense and indelible footprint that Moyo has left as an eminent jurist. ‘In addition to my involvement with him in the legal profession and the corporate governance trenches for over 40 years, we shared a common alma mater in that we are products of Mzilikazi High School, which was the first school in Zimbabwe to be built from the profits that were generated by Ingwebu Breweries, the sorghum beer commercial undertaking (in) Bulawayo,’ Masunda said. News Day reports that Mahlangu worked with Moyo when he was the president of the Law Society of Zimbabwe, tackling issues of human rights and government clampdown on freedom of speech and association during Robert Mugabe’s rule. He expressed condolences to Moyo’s entire family, especially his widow, Sara. Law lecturer Fadzayi Mahere said he was a luminary of Zimbabwe’s legal profession. ‘Unafraid to speak truth to power, he modelled old school, traditional lawyering which has become increasingly rare today. He nurtured and mentored many lawyers, some of whom have become judges and icons in their own right. Advocate Thabani Mpofu said the legal community had lost a true and dedicated champion of justice: ‘Moyo was more than just a fellow lawyer; he was a mentor and example of professionalism and integrity. His efforts over the years to defend the course of law and rule of law will leave a lasting impact on countless lives. We shall miss his dedication to duty.’

Full Zimbabwe Mail report

Full report on the News Day site