Legal Giant Moyo Hailed As Hero Upon His Passing At 68

Respected lawyer Sternford Moyo was laid to rest at Glen Forest Memorial Park in Hatcliffe, Harare, on Tuesday, following his passing on July 5. The former IBA President passed away at 68 after a short illness. Nyaradzo funeral parlour pallbearers carried his casket in a ceremony attended by judges, lawyers, business leaders, and politicians.

Moyo, who served as the president of the Law Society of Zimbabwe from 2002 to 2004, held numerous senior roles within the IBA. He made history as the first African to assume the role of IBA president, serving from 2021 to 2022.

His successor, Almudena Arpón de Mendívil Aldama, expressed profound admiration for Moyo’s contributions: “The immense contribution that Sternford made to the IBA is impossible to sum up, but the number of senior roles he held and their breadth provide an indication of the time, effort, and commitment he gave to the IBA. Sternford was a man of great courage and integrity and will be sorely missed by those who knew him.”

Moyo was a past co-chair of the IBA’s Human Rights Institute and held various other significant positions, including chair of the IBA’s African Regional Forum. He was an active member of the IBA’s council and management board and served in multiple trustee capacities.

In Zimbabwe, Moyo was the senior partner and chairman of Scanlen & Holderness, one of the country’s largest law firms, having been admitted as a lawyer in 1982. He also served as the president of the Southern African Development Community Lawyers Association (SADCLA), where he was recognized for his contributions to commercial, corporate, and mining law.

Moyo’s business roles included local chairmanships at Stanbic Bank, Schweppes, and Delta Beverages, as well as directorships at Alpha Media Holdings and other businesses. He was also a past chairman of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority. In 2021, he was honored as a Freeman of the City of London for his contributions to the rule of law.

Alpha Media Holdings (AMH) chairman Trevor Ncube called for a special way to honor outstanding luminaries who excel in various fields but are sidelined by the Zanu PF government after their death. Ncube spoke passionately at the burial of AMH board member and prominent lawyer Sternford Moyo, emphasizing the need for a culture of national honor.

“Everyone here agrees that Sternford was a hero. He worked tirelessly for human rights and Press freedom. Why is his nation not honoring him?” Ncube asked. “There should be a culture of national honor. Let’s honor our heroes. Let’s have our own way of honoring our own heroes apart from the [National] Heroes Acre.”

Ncube reminisced about his 34-year relationship with Moyo, first as his lawyer and later as an AMH board member. Moyo joined the AMH board in 2012 and was known for his passion for human rights and freedom of expression. Ncube recounted Moyo’s unwavering support during his personal legal battles, including defending his citizenship.

Law Society of Zimbabwe president Rumbidzai Matambo described Moyo as a giant in the legal field. Moyo’s influence extended across legal and business sectors, with board positions at reputable institutions such as AMH, Stanbic, Delta, and the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority.

Moyo’s legal prowess was internationally recognized, and he participated in a US program to familiarize young African leaders with the American legal system. Recently, he was admitted as a Freeman of the City of London in recognition of his devotion to the rule of law.

“We sadly pay tribute to the first IBA president of African lineage, who only recently celebrated being admitted in 2022 as a Freeman of the City of London in recognition of his devotion to the rule of law,” Almudena added.

Moyo’s legacy as a champion of human rights and legal excellence continues to inspire those who knew him and the broader legal community.